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The  Friends  of  the  Library 

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University  of  Massachusetts 

at  Amherst 


PROCKKDTNGS 


(IK   THE 


FITCHBURG  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 


AND    PAPERS    RELATING    TO    THE 


HISTORY   OF    THE   TOWN 


READ   BY   SOME   OF   THE   MEMBERS. 


VOLUME  III. 


FITCHBURG,   MASS.: 

PUBLISHED    liY   THE   HISTORICAL   SOCIETY, 
1902. 


Sentinkl  Printing  Company, 

FlTCHlUJKG. 


OFFICERS  OF  THE  SOCIETY 
1902. 


President. 
HENRY  A.  GOODRICH. 

Vice-Presidents. 
Frederick  1\  Woodward,  Jamics  I'\  D.  Garfieed. 

Secretary. 
Ebenezek  Bailey. 

Treasurer. 
Frederick  A.  Cirrier. 

Librarian. 
J.  F.  D.  Garfield. 


CONTENTvS. 


Officers  for  1902, 3 

Proceedings, 5 

Capt.  Thomas  Cowdin,           .        .        .        liy  Miss  Ada  L.  Howanl,  H) 

Asa  Thurston,  the  Pioneer  Missionary,       .    By  Ebenezer  Bailey,  39 

The  Division  of  Worcester  County,               .    By  Henry  A.   Willis,  70 

George  Trask,  the  Anti-Tobacco  Apostle, 

By  Atherton  P.  Mason,  84 

The  Verse  Writers  of  Fitchbukg,               By  Henry  A.  Goodrich,  104 

Geological  Features  of  Fitchbukg,           By  E.  Adams  Ihiriwcll,  \',V.) 

The  Old  Stores  ok  Fitchbukg,  Part  I., 

By  Frederick  A.  Cnrrier,  159 

Till';  ()li>  Storks  ok  Fitchbukg,  Part  II., 

By  Frederick  A.  Currier,  188 

Inscriptions  from  the  Burial  Grounds  ok  Lunenburg: 

South  Burial  Ground, 224 

North  Burl^l  Ground, 269 

Goodrich  Burial  Ground, 322 

Arnold  Burial  Ground, 323 


PROCEEDINGS. 


October  18,  1897. — The  regular  monthh'  meeting  of 
the  societ3',  the  first  after  the  summer  vacation  and  fifty- 
eighth  since  the  society's  first  organization,  was  held  at 
the  common  council  room.  President  Henry  A.  Willis  pre- 
siding. 

Mr.  Frederick  F.  Woodward  read  a  paper  relating  to 
the  Woodw^ard  ancestry,  and  in  connection  presented  some 
interesting  letters  written  during  the  Revolutionary  period 
by  John  Woodward,  a  RevolutionarA^  soldier  from  West- 
minster. 

November  15,  1897. — The  regular  monthly  meeting 
Yv^as  held  at  the  common  council  room.  President  Willis 
in  the  chair.  Mrs.  Frederick  F.  Woodw^ard,  Mrs.  Leander 
W.  Cumings  and  Mr.  Harold  M.  Dean  were  elected  to 
membership. 

Judge  Charles  H.  Blood  read  a  review  of  the  Adams- 
Cunningham  correspondence,  a  series  of  letters  written  by 
ex-President  John  Adams  and  William  Cunningham,  Esq., 
of  Fitchburg,  during  the  early  years  of  the  last  century. 
The  letters  were  published  in  1823,  during  an  exciting 
political  campaign  when  John  Quinc\'  Adams  was  a  candi- 
date for  president.  A  sketch  of  the  existing  political  par- 
ties of  that  day  and  brief  notices  of  prominent  men  men- 
tioned in  the  correspondence,  lent  additional  interest  to  a 
valuable  paper. 


6  Proceedings. 

December  20,  1897.— The  regular  monthly  meeting 
was  held  at  the  common  council  room,  President  Willis 
presiding.  Mrs.  Elijah  M.  Dickinson  and  Mrs.  Robert  N. 
Wallis  were  elected  members  of  the  society. 

Announcement  was  made  that  the  society's  second 
volume  of  Proceedings  had  been  issued  from  the  press 
and  was  ready  for  distribution  to  purchasers. 

Mr.  Robert  N.  Wallis  read  an  instructive  paper  on  the 
history,  objects  and  methods  of  the  organization  known 
as  Tammany  Hall,  or  the  Tammany  Society  of  New  York. 

ANNUAL  MEETING. 

January  17,  1898. — The  annual  meeting  of  the  society 
was  held  at  the  common  council  room,  President  Willis  in 
the  chair.  The  secretary  read  his  annual  report,  from 
which  the  following  extracts  are  taken : 

There  are  at  present  upon  our  roll  of  membership  131  names. 
Twenty-one  of  these  are  corresponding  members,  six  are  life  members 
and  one  honorary.     *    »    * 

It  may  be  safely  said  that  our  organization  has  passed  the  experi- 
mental stage,  and  has  demonstrated  its  usefulness  and  vitalit}'.  The 
approval  of  the  public,  shown  by  its  steady  increase  of  membership, 
indicates  that  our  citizens  are  willing  to  endorse  and  encourage  its 
work  as  worthy  and  commendable. 

One  of  the  chief  objects  of  our  society,  as  suggested  b\'  the  motto 
of  its  seal,  and  also  as  stated  in  its  by-laws,  is  to  gather  up  and  pre- 
serve the  materials  for  history ;  and  while  we  strive  to  rescue  the  rec- 
ords of  the  past  from  oblivion,  it  should  not  be  forgotten  that  the  pres- 
ent generation  is  making  history  as  truly  as  did  our  fathers  in  their 
day;  and  a  transcript  of  passing  occurrences  of  the  present  will  be  as 
important  for  the  use  of  the  future  historian  as  are  the  musty  records 
of  the  past  to  the  historian  of  the  present  day.    *    *    ♦ 

If  the  old  Fitchburg  Philosophical  Society  had  had  a  historical 
plank  in  its  platform  of  by-laws,  it  might  have  gathered  up  and  saved 
the  transient  and  ephemeral  productions  of  the  press  of  its  day  and 
generation — including  files  of  the  local  newspapers  from  1830  to  1838, 
only  scattering  numbers  of  which  are  now  known  to  exist. 


Proceedings.  7 

Much  useful  material  for  local  history  has  been  gathered  together 
by  this  society,  and  some  has  been  put  into  an  enduring  form  for  pres- 
ervation; but  much  more  has  been  irretrievabl}'  lost  for  the  want  of 
some  safe  depositor^'  in  the  past  for  its  reception  and  safe  keeping.  For 
the  first  third  of  the  present  century  there  is  very  little  of  written  or 
printed  history'  relating  to  the  town  of  Fitchl)urg.  except  what  is  con- 
tained in  the  l)rief  records  of  the  town  clerk  and  in  the  records  of  the 
two  churches  of  that  time.  The  coming  local  historian  will  here  find 
substantially  untrodden  ground  awaiting  his  labors,  and  much  of  the 
information  he  will  seek  will  not  be  easy  to  obtain. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  its  publishers,  our  file  of  the  daily  Sentinel 
has  been  kept  complete.  •  The  historical  value  of  newspapers  is  unques- 
tioned. The}'  contain  current  history  more  complete  than  can  elsewhere 
Ije  found.  To  all  seekers  after  historical  data  the  newspaper  files  are 
veritable  mines  of  information.  The  newspaper  press  of  this  city,  from 
its  commencement  in  1830,  covers  a  period  that  has  no  parallel  in  his- 
tory—a period  that  has  produced  the  locomotive,  the  telegraph,  the  tele- 
phone and  the  wonderful  development  of  electrical  science  as  applied  to 
commercial  and  domestic  uses;  a  period  that  has  developed  the  sewing 
machine  and  brought  forth  the  manifold  improvements  in  machinery  as 
applied  to  the  mechanic  and  industrial  arts;  the  improved  methods  in 
agriculture,  the  steam  plow,  the  mower,  the  reaper,  and  the  thresher; 
and  last,  but  not  least,  the  power  printing  press  of  lightning  speed, 
which  has  made  the  great  city  dailies  of  the  present  time  possible. 
Surely  this  society  should  make  special  efforts  to  secure  as  full  files  as 
possible  of  all  newspapers  that  have  been,  or  are  now  being,  published 
in  our  city. 

In  calling  attention  to  some  of  the  needs  of  our  institution  it  would 
be  a  singular  omission  if  I  should  fail  to  again  refer  to  the  greatest  of 
all  our  needs — that  of  safe  and  commodious  rooms  in  which  to  store 
our  accumulations,  and  to  arrange  them  for  the  convenient  use  of  those 
seeking  the  information  they  contain.  On  the  principle  that  "all  things 
come  to  those  who  wait,"  we  ma}'  venture  to  hope  that  the  time  is  not 
far  distant  when  we  shall  be  permanently  located  and  in  a  condition  to 
accept  some  valuable  material  which  we  know  is  now  withheld  because 
of  the  lack  of  such  suitable  accommodations.  And  then,  as  people 
become  more  and  more  assured  of  the  permanency  of  our  institution, 
and  of  the  safet}'  of  its  archives,  we  may  confidently  look  for  a  more 
generous  flow  of  historical  material  into  our  custody  than  we  can  hope 
for  under  the  present  conditions. 


8  Proceedi)iirs 


^>• 


The  treasurer  presented  his  sixth  annual  report,  show- 
ing receipts  for  the  year  $224.50;  expenditures  $77.12; 
with  total  amount  of  funds  on  hand  of  $366.30. 

The  librarian  read  his  annual  report,  showing  addi- 
tions to  the  societ3^'s  collections  of  15  bound  volumes, 
113  pamphlets,  besides  several  files  of  newspapers,  maps, 
manuscripts,  and  other  miscellaneous  donations. 

A  ballot  for  officers  for  the  ensuing  year  resulted  in 
the  election  of  the  following: 

Executive  Committee:  Henry  A.  Willis,  Henry  A. 
Goodrich,  Frederick  F.  Woodward,  Atherton  P.  Mason, 
and  James  F.  D.  Garfield. 

Clerk :  James  F.  D.  Garfield. 

Treasurer  and  Librarian :    Atherton  P.  Mason. 

Committee  on  Nominations  (three  years) :  Ebenezer 
Bailey. 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  executive  committee 
the  following  officers  were  elected  : 

President:   Henry  A.  Willis.  • 

Vice-Presidents:  Henry  A.  Goodrich  and  Frederick  F. 
Woodward. 

Interesting  letters  were  read  by  Frederick  A.  Currier 
and  Dr.  A.  P.  Mason,  from  corresponding  members. 

February  21,  1898. — The  regular  monthly  meeting 
w^as  held  at  the  common  council  room.  President  Willis 
presiding.  A  large  audience  was  present,  consisting  of 
members  and  invited  guests. 

The  president  announced  as  the  subject  of  the  even- 
ing's paper,  "The  Life  and  Public  Services  of  Capt.  Thomas 
Cowdin,"  one  of  Fitchburg's  prominent  citizens  in  the 
early  days.  He  then  introduced  Mrs.  Lillian  Upton  Law- 
ton  of  Brattleboro,  Vt.,  who  proceeded  to  read  an  ex- 
ceedingly interesting  account  of  Captain  Cowdin,  which 
had  been  prepared  by  Miss  Ada  L.  Howiird,  ex-president 
of  W'ellesley  college,  who  was  unable   to  be  present.     The 


Proceedinsrs. 


'<i' 


paper  showed  careful  and  painstaking  research,  and  is  a 
valuable  contribution  to  local  history.  Both  Miss  Howard, 
the  author,  and  Mrs.  Lawton,  the  reader  of  the  paper, 
are  lineal  descendants  of  Captain  Cowdin. 

At  the  close  of  the  reading  remarks  were  made  by 
Captain  James  M.  Upton  of  Boston,  Captain  Albert  H. 
Kelsey  of  Cambridge,  Dr.  S.  E.  Lawton  of  Brattleboro, 
and  b^^  Alonzo  P.  Goodridge  of  Fitchburg.  Captain  Upton 
alluded  to  his  friend,  Captain  Kelsey,  now  eighty-six 
3'ears  of  age,  who  during  his  youth  had  learned  his  trade 
in  Fitchburg,  and  who  during  the  past  four  years  had 
held  the  responsible  position  of  superintendent  of  the 
work  of  enlarging  the  State  House  in  Boston.  Captain 
Kelse3^,  in  response  to  a  call,  referred  to  his  residence  in 
Fitchburg,  to  the  many  changes  that  have  taken  place 
since  then,  and  mentioned  some  of  the  enterprising  men  of 
that  day.  To  such  men  as  Captain  Zachariah  Sheldon, 
Abial  J.  Town  and  Samuel  Willis,  was  Fitchburg  indebted 
for  much  of  her  later  prosperity.  Dr.  Lawton  spoke 
briefly,  expressing  his  pleasure  at  being  present, — it  being 
his  first  visit  to  Fitchburg, — but  excused  himself  from 
making  any  lengthy  remarks.  Mr.  Goodridge  gave  some 
pleasing  reminiscences  of  the  olden  time,  including  his  rec- 
ollections of  some  members  of  the  Cowdin  family. 

Portraits  in  oil  of  Captain  Thomas  and  Mrs.  Hannah 
Cowdin,  loaned  for  the  occasion  b3'  Miss  Ethel  M.  Eager 
of  Belmont,  were  on  exhibition,  as  were  also  several  origi- 
nal commissions  held  by  Captain  Cowdin  while  in  the 
military  service  of  the  country'. 

The  thanks  of  the  society-  were  extended  to  Mrs.  Law- 
ton,  the  reader,  and  to  Miss  Howard,  the  author  of  the 
paper. 

March  21,  1898.— The  regular  monthly  meeting  of 
the    society    was    held    at    the  new    high    school    building 


10  Proceedings. 

(room  26),  President  Willis  in  the  chair.  Ebenezer  Bailey 
was  chosen  to  act  as  secretary  during  the  absence  of  Sec- 
retary- J.  F.  D.  Garfield. 

Frank  H.  Snow  of  Lawrence,  Kansas,  chancellor  of 
the  Kansas  State  University,  was  elected  a  corresponding 
member  of  the  society. 

Mr.  Joseph  G.  Edgerly,  superintendent  of  schools,  gave 
a  most  interesting  talk  on  "The  School  Books  of  Former 
Days,"  illustrating  his  subject  with  specimens  of  old-time 
school  literature.  President  Willis  exhibited  a  quaint  work 
on  the  geography  of  Europe,  published  in  1711,  the  prop- 
erty of  Charles  Fosdick. 

April  18,  1898.— Regular  monthly  meeting  at  the  com- 
mon council  room.  President  Willis  in  the  chair.  The  fol- 
lowing persons  were  elected  to  membership:  Rev.  Abram 
Conklin,  Mrs.  Ellen  M.  Gushing,  Mrs.  Addie  L.  Chase. 

The  librarian  reported  the  receipt  of  a  photograph 
album* presented  by  Mrs.  Hattie  E.  (Miles)  Young  through 
President  Willis,  containing  pictures  of  all  members  of 
Company  A,  Fifty-third  Massachusetts  Regiment,  in  the 
Civil  war,  who  died  while  in  the  service. 

Mr.  Sullivan  W.  Huntley  gave  a  detailed  account  of 
the  flood  of  May  6,  1850,  caused  ])y  the  giving  way  of 
the  dam  of  Rice  pond  in  Ashbumham.  The  large  body  of 
water,  in  its  mad  rush  down  the  valley  through  the  town 
of  Fitchburg.  occasioned  the  loss  of  two  lives,  and  was 
the  cause  of  great  damage  to  property  by  the  destruction 
of  bridges  and  the  carrying  away  of  mills  and  other 
buildings.     A  vote  of  thanks  was  tendered  Mr.  Huntley. 

May  17,  1898.— The  last  regular  meeting  previous  to 
the  summer  vacation  was  held  at  the  common  council 
room,  President  Willis  occupj^ing  the  chair. 

The  paper  for  the  meeting,  presented   by  Mr.  Ebenezer 


ProceediuQ-s.  1 1 


■^ 


Bailey,  had  for  its  subject  "The  Life  and  Character  of  Rev. 
Asa  Thurston,"  one  of  the  pioneer  missionaries  to  the 
Sandwich  Islands.  Its  timeliness,  in  view  of  the  public  in- 
terest in  the  annexation  of  the  islands  which  were  the 
scene  of  Mr.  Thurston's  life  work,  made  the  paper  one  of 
peculiar  interest,  aside  from  its  importance  as  an  addition 
to  local  history. 

Mr.  A.  P.  Goodridge  gave  reminiscences  of  Prince 
George  Tamaree,  a  native  of  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  who 
spent  some  years  in  Fitchburg,  and  finally  returned  to  his 
native  islands  with  the  missionary  party  led  by  Mr. 
Thurston.  Mr.  H,  A.  Goodrich  referred  to  Asa  Thurston 
as  the  first  native  of  Fitchburg  to  receive  a  college  educa- 
tion. The  thanks  of  the  society  were  presented  to  Mr. 
Bailey  for  his  valuable  paper. 

October  17,  1898. — The  regular  monthly  meeting  was 
held  at  the  high  school  building  (room  26),  President  Wil- 
lis presiding.  A  good  audience  was  present,  including 
members  and  invited  guests. 

Dr.  A.  P.  Mason  read  a  letter  from  Thomas  C.  Cald- 
well of  Dorchester,  a  corresponding  member,  acknowledg- 
ing receipt  of  the  society's  second  volume  of  "  Proceed- 
ings," and  enclosing  a  check  for  ten  dollars  as  a  donation 
to  the  society. 

"The  Verse  Writers  of  Fitchburg,  Past  and  Present," 
formed  the  subject  of  the  paper  read  by  Henry  A.  Good- 
rich at  this  meeting.  It  was  a  notable  record  of  the  local 
verse  writers  from  the  early  days  to  the  present  time,  with 
brief  but  discriminating  criticism  of  their  work,  inter- 
spersed with  characteristic  quotations  from  their  writings. 

President  Willis  alluded  to  Mrs.  Mary  Lowe  Dickinson 
as  one  of  Fitchburg's  native  verse  writers,  and  to  the  in- 
cident of  his  meeting  her  in  Germany  in  1872.  He  read 
an  extract  from  her  poem  entitled   "Edelweiss,"   and  ex- 


12  Proceedings. 

hibited  a  specimen   of  the  Alpine  flower  which  gave  title 
to  the  poem. 

The  secretary  called  attention  to  Mr.  Goodrich's  own 
work  as  a  verse  writer,  and  read  extracts  from  two  of 
his  earlier  poems.  A  vote  of  thanks  was  extended  to  Mr. 
Goodrich  for  his  entertaining  paper. 

November  21,  1898.— The  regular  monthly  meeting  of 
the  society  was  held  at  the  high  school  building  (room  26), 
President  Willis  in  the  chair. 

Rev.  Abram  Conklin  read  a  paper  on  Ferdinando 
Gorges,  one  of  the  early  founders  of  New  England,  who, 
hy  wise  and  persistent  efforts  at  colonization,  opened  this 
portion  of  the  continent  to  settlement  and  thereby  pre- 
served it  to  England  and  to  Protestantism, — whence  have 
come  down  to  us  some  of  the  chief  features  of  our  politi- 
cal freedom  and  greatness.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  read- 
ing an  informal  discussion  took  place,  in  which  remarks  on 
the  subject  of  the  paper  were  made  by  Mr.  Conklin  and 
others  in  reply  to  questions.  The  thanks  of  the  society 
were  tendered  Mr.  Conklin  for  his  interesting  and  valuable 
paper. 

December  19,  1898. — The  regular  monthly  meeting 
was  held  at  the  common  council  room.  In  the  absence  of 
the  president,  Vice-President  Woodward  presided. 

Mr.  E.  Adams  Hartwell  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
society.     No  paper  was  read  at  this  meeting. 

ANNUAL  MEETING,  1899. 

The  annual  meeting  of  the  society  was  held  at  the 
common  council  room  on  the  evening  of  January  16, 
i^resident  Willis  in  the  chair. 

The  annual  reports  of  the  secretary,  treasurer  and 
librarian  were  read,  accepted  and  ordered  on  file.     That  of 


Proceedings.  1 3 

the  secretary  comprised  a  brief  review  of  the  year's  w^ork, 
with  suggestions  for  the  future,  and  referred  to  the 
society's  publications  as  follows : 

During  the  past  year  a  third  volume  has  been  added  to  the  publica- 
tions of  this  society-,  consisting  of  the  "  Early  Records  of  the  Town  of 
Fitchburg"  for  the  twenty-five  years  following  its  incorporation.  The 
importance  of  having  the  early  records  of  the  town  printed  was  dis- 
cussed at  a  meeting  of  the  society  as  early  as  November,  1892 ;  and  it 
was  then  urged  that  the  society  should  use  its  influence  toward  the 
accomplishment  of  that  object.  No  action,  however,  was  taken  at  that 
time,  but  at  the  annual  meeting  in  January,  1895,  the  subject  was  again 
considered,  and  a  committee  was  chosen  to  petition  the  citj'  council  in 
regard  to  the  matter.  As  a  result  of  the  action  of  this  committee,  an 
order  was  passed  by  the  city  council  providing  for  the  printing  of  the 
records  as  petitioned  for,  and  an  appropriation  was  made  for  carrying 
on  the  work.  As  a  preliminary  to  the  printing  of  the  Fitchburg  records, 
during  the  year  1896  a  volume  was  issued  comprising  the  "Early  Rec- 
ords of  the  Town  of  Lunenburg,  including  that  part  which  is  now 
Fitchburg,  from  1719  to  1764,"  and  in  the  following  year  a  similar  vol- 
ume appeared,  containing  the  "Proprietors'  Records  of  the  Town  of 
Lunenburg,"  from  1729  to  1833. 

The  first  volume  of  the  Fitchburg  Records,  issued  during  the  past 
autumn,  makes  a  handsome  book  of  416  pages ;  and  this  society  availed 
itself  of  the  opportunity  offered  to  have  an  edition  struck  off  for  its 
own  use,  and  bearing  its  own  imprint,  which  is  now  presented  as  a  fit 
companion  volume  for  the  two  before  mentioned. 

In  issuing  this  volume  the  society  is  fortunate  in  being  able  to  pre- 
sent as  illustrations  the  portraits  of  Captain  Thomas  Cowdin  and  Cap- 
tain Joseph  Fox,  two  of  the  early  town  clerks,  both  noted  characters  in 
the  early  history  of  the  town,  and  of  Mrs.  Hannah  Cowdin,  wife  of 
Thomas  Cowdin,  well  known  in  her  day  as  the  accomplished  landlady 
of  the  Cowdin  Tavern.  None  of  these  have  ever  before  been  presented  to 
the  public. 

The  librarian's  report  showed  donations  to  the  soci- 
ety's collections  of  25  bound  volumes  and  46  pamphlets, 
besides  several  manuscripts,  maps,  and  a  variety  of  other 
material. 

The   treasurer's   report   showed    disbursements   for  the 


14  Proceedings. 

year  of  $453.64,  with  cash  resources  remaining  in  the 
treasury  of  $107.18. 

Officers  for  the  current  3'ear  were  elected  by  ballot,  as 
follows : 

Clerk:  James  F.  D.  Garfield. 

Executive  Committee :  Henry  A.  Willis,  Henr^'-  A.  Good- 
rich, Frederick  F.  Woodw^ard,  Atherton  P.  Mason,  and 
James  F.  D.  Garfield. 

Committee  on  Nominations  (three  years) :  Charles  Fos- 
dick. 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  executive  committee 
the  following  officers  were  elected : 

President:   Henry  A.  Willis. 

1st  Vice-President :   Henry  A.  Goodrich. 

2d  Vice-President :   Frederick  F.  Woodward. 

Voted  that  the  executive  committee  consider  the  expe- 
diency of  the  appointment  of  department  committees  as 
suggested  by  the  secretary  in  his  annual  report,  and  re- 
port thereon  at  a  future  meeting. 

February  20,  1899. — The  regular  monthly  meeting 
was  held  at  the  common  council  room,  Vice-President  H. 
A.  Goodrich  in  the  chair.  The  librarian  announced  an 
important  donation  to  the  societ3''s  collections,  consisting 
of  the  records  and  papers  of  the  Third  Congregational 
(Trinitarian)  Society  of  Fitchburg,— from  1843  to  1863 
inclusive, — presented  by  Mr.  Henr}^  J.  Colburn  of  Toledo, 
Ohio. 

Mr.  E.  Adams  Hartwell  read  a  paper  entitled  "Some 
Geological  Features  of  Pltchburg."  The  paper  was  illus- 
trated with  diagrams  and  drawings,  and  held  the  close 
attention  of  the  audience. 

The  secretar}^  read  a  paper  relating  to  several  unsuc- 
cessful attempts  at  mining  for  the  precious  metals  within 
the  limits  of  Fitchburg. 


Proceedin<rs.  15 


',b 


March  20,  1899,  Regular  monthly  meeting  at  the 
common  council  room,  Vice-President  F.  F.  Woodward 
presiding.  The  executive  committee  reported  recommend- 
ing the  appointment  of  department  committees  on  the 
following  subjects:  Local  Histor\',  Militar}^  History,  Gene- 
alogy, Photography,  and  Woman's  Department.  Report 
accepted. 

Mr.  Henry  B.  Adams  read  an  interesting  paper  relat- 
ing to  the  early  history  of  San  Francisco,  before  and  dur- 
ing the  gold  excitement  of  1849  and  the  50's,  some  por- 
tions of  which  was  derived  from  his  own  experience  and 
observation. 

April  17,  1899.  Regular  monthlj^  meeting  at  the  com- 
mon council  room,  Vice-President  Goodrich  in  the  chair. 

The  secretar3'  read  a  paper  giving  some  account  of 
Fitchburg  men  who  went  to  California  in  the  early  days 
of  the  gold  excitement  and  later,  and  of  the  part  they 
took  in  the  settlement  of  the  new  state. 

May  15,  1899. — The  regular  monthly  meeting  was 
held  at  the  common  council  room,  President  Willis  in  the 
chair.  Mr.  Ebenezer  Bailey  read  a  paper  on  Deacon  Eph- 
raim  Kimball,  ancestor  of  the  Fitchburg  families  of  Kim- 
ball, in  which  he  traced  the  line  of  descent  from  Richard, 
the  emigrant  of  1634,  to  the  Fitchburg  Kimballs  of  the 
present  generation.  The  thanks  of  the  society  were  pre- 
sented to  Mr.  Bailey  for  his  interesting  paper. 

October  16,  1899.  The  regular  monthly  meeting  was 
held  in  the  committee  room  at  cit}-  hall  building,  Presi- 
dent Willis  presiding.  A  special  committee,  appointed  at 
a  previous  meeting  to  report  a  list  of  department  com- 
mittees, reported  names  for  five  committees  as  follows: 


16  Proceedings. 

On  Local  History.  —  Frederick  A.  Currier,  Henry  O. 
Putnam,  Ebenezer  F.  Bailey,  Charles  C.  Harris,  Alonzo  P. 
Goodridge,  Joseph  G.  Edgerly,  Alvah  Crocker,  William  A. 
Emerson,  John  H.  Daniels,  and  Ebenezer  Bailey. 

On  Militarv  History.— John  W.  Kimball,  Alfred  R. 
Ordwa\%  Henry  B.  Adams,  Charles  F.  Baker,  Dr.  C.  H. 
Rice,  Walter  Periey  Hall,  William  M.  Willis,  Charies  H. 
Blood,  J.  Calvin  Spaulding,  and  Wilbur  W.  Henr3\ 

On  Genealogy. — Arthur  H.  Lowe,  Charles  Fosdick, 
Charles  E.  Ware,  Elijah  M.  Dickinson,  Harrison  Bailey, 
(3rin  M.  Lowe,  Henry  F.  Rockwell,  Henry  M.  Francis,  Jabez 
F.  Fisher,  and  James  B.  Austin. 

On  Photography.  —  Frank  E.  Fairbanks,  Robert  N. 
Wallis,  Harr}'  G.  Townend,  Rev.  Abram  Conklin,  Edward 
P.  Pierce,  E.  Adams  Hartwell,  Henry  A.  Estabrook,  George 
Ra3^mond,  J.  E.  Thompson,  and  David  Low^e. 

On  Woman's  Department. — Mrs.  Louise  H.  Wellman, 
Mrs.  A.  C.  Smith,  Mrs.  Martha  L.  Weyman,  Mrs.  Louisa 
C.  Upton,  Mrs.  Sarah  C.  Brown,  Mrs.  Mary  A.  R.  Lowe, 
Mrs.  Martha  G.  Woodward,  Mrs.  Florence  R.  D.  Daniels, 
Miss  Adelaide  Z.  Mclntire,  and  Miss  Mar}^  E.  Jaquith. 

In  closing  their  report  the  committee  say : 

It  is  expected  that  the  chairmen  of  these  various  committees  will 
call  their  members  together  and  adopt  some  feasible  and  systematic  plan 
of  work,  and  that  each  committee  will  yearly  or  oftener  make  a  report 
of  its  doings  to  the  society.  In  regard  to  the  field  to  be  covered  by 
each  committee,  we  think  the  details  should  be  left  largely  to  their  dis- 
cretion, the  main  object  to  be  realized  being  to  aid  our  organization  in 
carrying  out  the  purposes  of  its  existence. 

The  Committee  on  Local  History  \\u\.y  do  this  by  bringing  to  light 
facts  of  our  local  history  of  the  past,  or  taking  means  to  preserve  the 
local  history  of  the  present ;  the  Committee  on  Military  History  l)y  do- 
ing just  the  same,  with  special  reference  to  military  matters. 

The  Committee  on  Genealogy  has  an  important  and  fertile  field 
before  it.  Much  is  l^eing  made  of  this  subject  at  the  present  time,  and 
facilities  for  tracing  ancestry  are  greatly  increased.  The  genealogical  his- 
tory of  any  family  will  be  of  permanent  value  to  us. 


Proceedings.  17 

The  Committee  on  Photography  can  be  of  great  use  b3^  helping  us 
to  photographs  of  dvvelHngs  and  places  which  are  liable  to  be  destroyed 
or  changed. 

The  Woman's  Department  Committee  is  the  recognition  by  this 
societ3^  of  the  special  value  of  women  in  lines  in  which  they  may  work 
in  collecting  and  preserving  facts  which  relate  more  particularly  to 
woman  and  the  household. 

At  this  meeting  the  secretarA^  read  a  paper  giving  rem- 
iniscences of  the  presidential  campaign  of  1840,  and  in 
connection  therewith  some  account  of  the  Chapman 
brothers,  formerh^  workmen  in  the  office  of  the  Fitchburg 
Gazette,  but  who  went  west,  and  as  newspaper  men  be- 
came famous  in  1840  for  the  active  part  taken  by  them 
in  opposition  to  the  election  of  Harrison,  and  in  favor  of 
the  re-election  of  Van  Buren  to  the  presidency. 

November  20,  1899. — The  regular  monthly  meeting 
was  held  at  the  common  council  room,  President  H.  A. 
Willis  presiding.  Mrs.  A.  C.  Smith  of  the  Committee  on 
Woman's  Department,  appointed  at  the  October  meeting, 
reported  for  that  committee,  suggesting  suitable  lines  of 
work  for  the  committee  to  follow  out. 

A  paper  was  read  by  the  secretary,  suggested  and 
illustrated  by  "A  Shelf  of  Old  Books,"  including  some 
local  imprints,  each  having  some  bearing  on  the  histor}^  of 
Fitchburg. 

December  18,  1899. — Regular  monthly  meeting  at  the 
common  council  room,  President  Willis  in  the  chair.  Mrs. 
Ellen  M.  Merriam  of  Fitchl^urg  was  elected  a  member  of 
the  society. 

The  paper  for  the  evening  was  read  by  the  secretary, 
having  for  its  subject  "The  Life  and  Military  Services  of 
General  James  Reed,"  a  Revolutionary  hero,  who  died  in 
Fitchburg,  February  13,  1807. 


18  Proceedings. 

Announcement  was  made  that  a  fourth  volume  had 
been  added  to  the  pubHcations  of  the  societ3% — it  being  the 
second  volume  of  the  Fitch1)urg  Town  Records,  covering 
the  period  from  1789  to  1796,  and  including  also  the  vital 
statistics  contained  in  the  first  and  a  portion  of  the  second 
manuscript  volumes,  a  feature  adding  much  to  the  useful- 
ness and  permanent  value  of  the  volume. 


CAPTAIN    THOMAS    COWDIN. 

BY     MISS     ADA     L.    HOWARD. 

Kx-President  of  Wellesley  College. 

Read  at  a   Meeting  of  the  Society,  February  21,   1898,   by  Mrs.  S.  E. 

Lawton  of  Brattleboro,  Vt. 


Had  a  stranger,  something  more  than  a  century  ago, 
been  travelling  in  quest  of  picturesque  scenerv^  and  Hygeian 
air,  he  might  have  driven  toward  the  hill  country  about 
Mount  Wachusett  and  tarried  for  a  rest  in  the  village  of 
Fitchburg.  At  the  hospitable  "great  house  of  the  '  Squire'  " 
he  would  have  lieen  courteoush^  received  as  guest.  The 
host  would  have  impressed  him  as  a  man  of  marked  indi- 
viduality' of  character,  and  led  him  to  inquire,  "Who  is 
he?"  The  citizen  would  have  replied,  "Thomas  Cowdin, 
Esquire,  the  autocrat   of  Fitchburg,  whose  word  is  law." 

Down  through  the  hundred  years  since  putting  off  his 
visible  form,  the  unique  and  powerful  personality  of 
Thomas  Cowdin  comes  to  us  in  bold  relief,  and  the  essen- 
tial man  is  a  living  centenarian  to-da3\  His  services  in 
making  the  world  stronger  and  better  led  grateful  fellow- 
citizens  to  chronicle  him  as  "by  far  the  most  prominent 
founder  of  Fitchburg,"  and  caused  historians  to  give  him 
honorable  militar}'  recognition  in  King  George's  war,  the 
French  and  Indian  war,  and  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 
By  summing  up  records  and  family  traditions,  and  inter- 
preting his  portrait,  we  find  Thomas  Cowdin  cast  in  a 
clear-cut  mould,  sensitive  in  fibre,  clear  in  thought,  and 

"True  as  the  needle  to  the  pole. 
Or  as  the  dial  to  the  sun." 


20  Capt.  Thomas  Coivdin. 

There  was  fire  in  the  depths  of  the  greyish  blue  e3^es, 
a  trace  of  the  old  Roman  in  the  handsome  nose,  but  the 
tell-tale  comers  of  the  firmly-closed  mouth  revealed  a  ca- 
pacit}^  for  genuine  humor,  and  for  speaking  winged  words 
of  affection  to  the  innermost  friends  of  his  heart.  His 
lineaments,  expression,  and  general  bearing  indicated  quick 
perception,  strong  mental  grasp,  and  a  will  to  overcome 
every  obstacle.  He  was  less  a  talker  and  a  writer  than  a 
thinker  and  a  doer,  his  modes  of  thought  and  action  bear- 
ing a  deep  impress  of  his  Scottish  descent. 

In  some  encyclopedic  records  Thomas  Cowden  appears 
as  an  "Irish  gentleman,"  but  his  ancestors  in  both  pater- 
nal and  maternal  lines  were  of  the  land  of  the  Thistle — 
Scots  "dyed  in  the  wool" — and  the  short  sojourn  in  Ulster 
Province,  Ireland,  but  intensified  their  Scottish  elements 
of  character. 

The  most  distant  background  of  the  Cow^dens  of 
which  we  have  any  knowledge  includes  the  deep,  wooded 
valleys  of  England,  where  the  name  originated.  In  Nor- 
folkshire,  at  a  very  early  period,  were  landholders  named 
Thomas  Cowden  and  Nathaniel  Cowden.  For  centuries 
Cowden  has  been  known  as  a  place-name  and  a  family 
name  in  Scotland.  Colden  or  Colding  and  Cowden  are 
different  forms  of  the  same  name. 

Near  Abbotsford,  the  home  of  Sir  Walter  Scott,  are 
the  "  Cowden-knowes"  (or  Colden-knowes),  and  in  the 
vicinity  once  stood  "Cowden  Peel,"  the  stronghold  of 
chieftain,  or  laird,  to  whose  ruins  allusions  are  made  b3'' 
the  poet. 

Of  the  Cowden-knowes,  Hon.  Robert  Ferguson  writes : 
"  Knowes  means  little  hills,  and  Cowden  is  the  name  of 
an  old  estate  there.  I  conceive  Cowden  to  be  a  name  of 
local  origin  from  den  or  dene,  the  Anglo-Saxon  for  valley, 
and  Cowden  ma^'  signify  cow-valley.  Cowden-knowes, 
Cowden-heath,  etc.,  I  take  to  be  later  possessions  of  that 


Capt.  Thomas  Cowditi.  21 

family."  There  is  a  record  of  the  removal  of  one  Thomas 
Cowden  from  Scotland  to  Ireland,  and  traditions  in  Ire- 
land fix  the  date  about  1688.  The  old  Cowden  home  in 
Ireland  was  at  Manor-Cunningham,  near  Londonderry^,  on 
the  road  to  Letterkenny.  There  is  still  standing  a  large 
building  called  the  "Cowden-house."  The  Cowdens  were 
known  as  the  wealthiest  famih'^  in  that  section. 

James  Cowden,  father  of  Thomas  Cowden,  Esq.,  was 
born  in  Ireland  in  1695,  and  was  probably  son  of  Thomas 
Cowden  who  went  from  Scotland  to  Ireland  about  1688. 
His  coat-of-arms  answers  in  descripton  to  the  most  ancient 
Cowden  coat-of-arms  in  Scotland.  In  heraldic  language  it 
is  described:  "Az.  on  a  fesse  ar.  between  three  annulets 
or  a  lion  pass,  sa.  The  crest  a  demi-lion  sa.  charged  with 
an  annulet  or  label."  "The  lion  indicated  kinship  with 
royalty,  or  a  grant  to  a  favorite  follower." 

In  Ireland  Cowden  was  sometimes  spelled  Cowdin. 
Both  forms  appear  in  official  records  of  James  Cowden, 
but  the  true  name,  Cowden,  has  been  retained  by  most  of 
his  descendants. 

Of  the  personality  of  James  Cowden  we  have  but  the 
brief  summar}- : 

"He  came  from  the  North,  and  his  words  were  few, 
But  his  voice  was  kind,  and  his  heart  was  true." 

Famil^^  tradition  says,  "He  was  a  barrister  in  his  own 
country,  and  sometime  resident  in  Dublin."  He  married 
young  and  had  one  child,  David.  This  wife  could  not 
have  long  survived,  for  "early  in  1720"  James  Cowden 
married  Janet  Craige.  The  first  wife  was  probably  "Lady 
Polly  Connor."  Marriages  between  Scots  and  Irish  were 
rare,  but  occasionally  a  typical  Scotsman,  "shrewd,  silent, 
more  prone  to  listen  than  to  speak,"  found  a  delightful 
complement  in  an  Irish  companion,  with  wide  range  of 
feeling  from    deepest    pathos    to    highest  merriment.     The 


22  Capt.  Thomas  Cowdin. 

young  barrister  might  well  be  captivated  by  that  "sweet- 
ness and  innocency  of  expression  that  characterized  an 
Irish  lady,"  especially  if  she  inherited  the  spirit  and  talent 
of  the  ancient  family,  Connor. 

Janet  Craige,  second  wife  of  Barrister  Cowden,  was  of 
the  ancient  family,  Craig,  Craige,  or  Craigie,  whose  name 
seems  to  have  been  derived  from  an  old  estate  in  Linlith- 
gowshire, Scotland.  The  Craigs  and  Cowdens  emigrated 
from  Scotland  to  Ireland  about  the  same  time  and  located 
near  each  other,  the  Craigs  living  between  Manor-Cun- 
ningham and  Newton-Cunningham.  In  later  years  there 
were  other  marriages  between  the  Cowdens  and  Craigs 
in  Ireland  and  in  America. 

In  the  spring  of  1728,  an  earnest  band  prepared  to 
sail  from  Londonderry  for  America.  Of  the  number  were 
Barrister  James  Cov^^den,  his  wife  and  four  or  five  chil- 
dren; also  Matthew  Cowden,  son  of  William  Cowden, 
twelve  years  the  junior  of  James,  and  probably  his  cousin. 
Matthew  went  to  Paxtang  township  in  Penns3dvania, 
and  in  his  family  records  we  find,  "He  had  relatives  in 
New  England." 

Imagination  and  a  knowledge  of  the  shipping  facilities 
of  the  time  must  furnish  the  diary  of  hardships  and  dan- 
gers, hopes  and  fears  of  the  family,  from  the  day  of  pack- 
ing their  goods  in  Ireland  to  that  of  landing  at  the  foot 
of  King  street  in  Boston.  James  Cowden's  "double-case, 
bull's-eye  silver  watch,"  still  in  possession  of  his  great- 
great-grandson.  Rev.  David  C.  Cowden  of  Gallipolis,  Ohio, 
gives  no  clue  to  the  time  it  measured  from  shore  to  shore. 

Mrs.  Cowden  probably  had  relatives  here,  for  James, 
John,  David  and  Robert  Craige  were  among  those  who 
came  from  the  vicinity  of  Londonderry  to  New  England 
in  1718,  fifty  of  the  families  settling  in  North  Worcester, 
Mass.,  near  the  "Old  Fort,"  while  others  founded  Lon- 
donderry, N.  H. 


Capt.  Thomas  Cowdin.  23 

In  1731  James  Cowden  purchased  land  in  North  Wor- 
cester and  made  a  homestead  there.  The  place  was  nearlj' 
a  wilderness,  no  permanent  settlement  having  been  made 
till  1723.  The  colony  of  1718  suffered  persecution  as 
"Irish"  and  Presbyterians,  till  many  families  left;  yet 
they  were  not  Irish,  but  intensely  Scotch. 

The  history  of  the  period  in  England  and  Ireland  sug- 
gests reasons  why  Barrister  James  Cowden  chose  life  in 
New^  England.  Impaired  health,  natural  inclination  to 
quiet  life,  and  a  desire  to  join  his  fellow-countrymen  seem 
to  have  influenced  him  to  settle  in  North  Worcester.  In 
1740  the  names  of  James  Cowden  and  his  son,  David 
Cowden,  appear  in  a  petition  to  the  general  court,  pray- 
ing that  North  Worcester  may  be  made  a  separate  town. 
The  act  of  incorporation  was  passed  and  the  town  named 
Holden. 

His  children  at  length  numbered  seven  sons  and  two 
daughters, — David,  Thomas,  Margaret,  William,  Samuel, 
Elizabeth,  Robert,  John  and  James.  They  were  doubtless 
brought  up  on  the  old  Scotch  s\'stem, — "fine  air,  simple 
diet,  and  solid  training  in  knowledge  human  and  divine." 
To  each  son  Mr.  Cowden  gave  a  trade,  and  thej^  all  be- 
came landholders. 

During  the  Revolutionary  war  David,  Thomas  and 
William  entered  the  service  of  the  army,  holding  the  rank 
of  captain.  Capt.  David  Cowden  was  in  Col.  Woodbridge's 
regiment  at  the  battle  of  Lexington,  April  19,  1775. 
John  and  James  entered  the  "Alarm  List  Companies"  as 
privates.  "To  be  a  private  in  the  Alarm  List  Companies 
was  proclaimed  by  the  journals  to  be  an  honor;  to  be 
chosen  to  office  in  them  to  be  a  mark  of  highest  distinc- 
tion." 

Capt.  David  Cowden  was  an  officer  in  the  army  in 
New  York  state  during  most  of  the  war.  He  and  his 
brothers,  James  and  John,  invested  in  lands  in  New  York 


24  Capt.  Thomas  Cowdiii. 

and  in  Canada,  and  John  settled  in  Canada.  "Capt. 
David  Cowden,  gentleman."  and  "James  Cowden,  gentle- 
man," remained  in  Cambridge,  Washington  County,  New 
York.  Among  the  descendants  of  James  Cowden,  Jr.,  were 
the  late  Rev.  David  C.  Cowden,  GallipoHs,  Ohio,  and  Rev. 
Truman  S.  Cowden  of  Cincinnati  and  Piqua,  Ohio. 

Robert  Cowden  was  an  esteemed  citizen  of  Princeton, 
Mass.,  and  held  the  highest  town  offices  for  many  years. 
William  lived  in  Worcester  and  in  Rutland,  Mass.  Samuel 
settled  in  Rutland,  and  has  prominent  descendants.  James 
Cowden,  1st,  "died  October  the  first,  1748."  "Having 
gone  to  Worcester  to  execute  his  will,  just  written,  he  was 
taken  suddenly  ill,  and  died  in  a  few  hours."  "He  left 
real  and  personal  estate  of  value."  His  widow,  Mrs.  Janet 
(Craige)  Cowden,  settled  the  estate. 

Widow  Janet  (Craige)  Cowden  married  Capt.  James 
Craig,  a  prominent  citizen  of  Rutland,  Mass.,  April  16, 
1755.  Hence  the  form  of  record  in  the  Bibles  of  her  chil- 
dren, "Our  honored  mother,  Jane  Craige,  departed  this 
life  February  19,  1776."  Her  full  name  was  Janet,  and 
was  so  signed  by  her  in  all  legal  documents. 

Thomas  Cowdin,*  Esquire,  of  Worcester  and  of  Fitch- 
burg,  Mass.,  the  eldest  son  of  James  Cowden,  1st,  and 
Janet  (Craige)  Cowden,  was  born  in  Ireland,  December  25, 
1720.  His  education  was  received  chiefly  in  the  quiet  home 
in  North  Worcester,  under  the  instructions  of  his  father. 
With  his  ready  apprehension  and  retentive  memory  he  be- 
came well  versed  in  Roman,  English,  Scottish  and  Irish 
history,  and  in  the  fundamental  principles  of  jurisprudence. 
Keenly  alive  to   the  varied   impressions  of  life   about   him, 


•The   Cowdins    of  Fitchburg   have  invari- 


ably   spelled     their    name     Cowdin,    and    not      ^ /L^  A    /7  /-n 

Cowden.      Thomas    Cowdin,    Es<i.,    for   many     \!_jj  f^^^  (     Cr^  ^    f*^ 

j'ears  town  clerk  of  Fitchburg,  always  signed    V_-/ 

his  name  Cowdin,  as  indicated   by  the  accompanying  facsimile. 


Capt.  Thomas  Cowdin.  25 

and  rarely  gifted  as  a  reader  of  character,  the  study  of 
humanity  was  far  more  interesting  to  him  than  the  study 
of  books.  We  have  proof  that  he  early  became  familiar 
with  ideals  that  fitted  him  to  meet  the  needs  of  his  time. 

In  youth  he  served  an  apprenticeship  in  Marlborough 
as  blacksmith,  the  trade  then  including  the  making  of 
farm  implements,  as  axes,  scythes,  augers,  chisels,  and  a 
variety  of  edge  tools.  He  afterwards  established  the  busi- 
ness for  himself  on  Main  street  in  Worcester.  He  belonged 
to  a  company'  of  cavalry  and  became  very  fond  of  mili- 
tary tactics.  Aglow  with  the  spirit  of  patriotism,  he 
responded  to  the  call  of  the  governor,  and,  as  sergeant, 
joined  the  brave  little  army  of  civilians  that  sailed  from 
Boston  for  Louisbourg  March  24,  1745,  saying,  "We 
can,"  while  many  of  the  assembh^  and  wisest  men  said, 
"They  cannot  take  that  Gibraltar  of  America!" 

Surely  no  one  started  with  more  buoyant  spirit  and 
elastic  step,  nor  returned  after  victory  to  build  a  brighter 
bonfire  than  did  Sergt.  Cowdin  of  Worcester.  During  the 
siege  the  young  officer  was  "in  the  thickest  of  the  fight," 
distinguishing  himself  by  that  dash  of  movement  that 
characterized  him  when  occasion  required  quick  and  deci- 
sive action. 

After  the  conquest  Sergt.  Cowdin  returned  to  his  busi- 
ness in  Worcester.  He  married,  Nov.  19,  1748,  Experience 
Grey  of  Worcester,  of  whose  famih^  we  find  this  record : 
"When  the  Scotch  Presbyterian  band  of  North  Worcester 
was  dispersed,  the  Greys  remained. '^ 

When  trouble  arose  with  the  Indians  upon  the  frontier 
prior  to  the  French  and  Indian  war,  Sergt.  Cowdin  was 
pressed  into  service,  and  stationed  at  Charlestown  No.  4 
in  New  Hampshire.  One  of  the  tales  of  this  perilous  mis- 
sion w^as  that  of  bearing  despatches  from  Charlestown 
No.  4  to  Fort  Dumnier.  With  the  documents  in  his  knap- 
sack,  and    accompanied    by    two    soldiers,   Sergt.   Cowdin 


26  Capt.  TJiomas  Cozvdin. 

started  on  his  march,  momently  exposed  to  attacks  by 
savages  secreted  in  the  thickets.  They  had  traveled  but  a 
few  miles  when  they  came  suddenly  upon  an  Indian 
encampment.  The  war  whoop  sounded  and  the  soldiers 
fled  for  their  lives.  With  his  precious  papers  Cowdin  flew 
like  a  deer  toward  Ashuelot,  now  Keene,  N.  H.  There  a 
company  of  soldiers  was  sent  with  him,  and  the  despatches 
were  safel3''  delivered  at  Fort  Dummer,  now  Brattleboro, 
Vt.  When  returning  to  Charlestown  No.  4  thej'  met 
bands  of  men  searching  for  Cowdin,  whom  the  two  sol- 
diers who  reached  Charlestown  in  safety  reported  as  cap- 
tured or  killed  by  the  Indians. 

Sergt.  Cowdin  sailed  from  Boston  May  20,  1755,  in 
the  expedition  against  Nova  Scotia.  He  continued  in  ser- 
vice most  of  the  time  till  the  close  of  the  French  and  In- 
dian war  in  1763.  He  received  the  appointment  of  ensign 
the  24th  day  of  September,  in  the  thirtieth  year  of  the 
reign  of  His  Majesty,  King  George  the  Second,  Anno 
Domini  1756,  and  that  of  second  lieutenant  the  30th  day 
of  October  following.  He  was  "appointed  first  lieutenant 
February  21,  in  the  thirty-third  j^ear  of  the  reign  of  His 
Majesty,  King  George  the  Second,  Anno  Domini  1760." 
He  w^as  put  in  charge  of  the  soldiers  in  the  regiments  of 
the  Province  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  under  the  hand  and 
seal  of  the  governor  at  Boston  the  28th  day  of  August, 
1760,  in  the  thirt3^-fourth  year  of  His  Majest3''s  reign. 
On  April  17,  1761,  he  was  appointed  to  make  search  for 
all  deserters,  "all  the  justices  of  the  peace,  sheriffs  and 
their  deputies,  and  all  His  Majest\''s  subjects  to  afford 
him  every  assistance." 

The  commission  of  Thomas  Cowdin  as  captain  of  a 
company  of  foot  in  the  regiment  commanded  hy  Col. 
Richard  Saltonstall  was  given  by  Francis  Bernard,  Esq., 
captain  general  and  governor-in-chief  in  and  over  His 
Majesty's    Province    of    the    Massachusetts    Bay    in    New 


Capt.  Thomas  Cowdin.  27 

England,  and  vice  admiral  of  the  same,  April  18,  1761, 
in  the  first  year  of  the  reign  of  King  George  the  Third. 
This  commission  was  presented  to  the  Wallace  library  in 
Fitchburg  by  his  grandson,  Thomas  Cowdin  Upton  of 
Fitchburg. 

Mrs.  Sarah  A.  Wiggin  of  Cambridge,  great-grand- 
daughter of  Thomas  Cowdin,  presented  to  the  Wallace 
library  his  commission  as  captain  in  the  Eighth  regiment 
of  militia  in  the  county  of  Worcester,  dated  April  6,  1780, 
and  also  that  appointing  him  justice  of  the  peace. 

A  sad  loss  came  into  the  life  of  Capt.  Cowdin  by  the 
death  of  his  beloved  wife.  Experience  Grey,  on  April  3, 
1760.    She  left  two  children,  Thomas  and  Experience. 

On  Oct.  2,  1761,  Thomas  Cowdin  married  Hannah 
Craig  of  Rutland,  Mass. 

The  following  letter,  written  to  his  wife  under  date  of 
July  9,  1762,  shows  that  he  was  at  that  time  in  service 
at  Crown  Point: 

Crown  Point,  July  9th.  1762. 

My  dear  —  Having  this  opportunity  I  with  pleasure  embrace  it 
to  let  you  know  that  I  am  in  health,  as  I  hope  these  will  find  you  and 
my  children  in  health.  I  have  wrote  a  number  of  letters  to  you,  and 
hant  had  one  from  you.  I  beg  the  favor  of  a  line  from  you  if  possible 
and  acquaint  me  concerning  the  season.  I  hear  it  is  very  dry,  which 
makes  me  very  uneasy  to  hear  from  home — and  must  continue  so  till  I 
hear.  The  company  is  well  and  our  camps  health}'.  I  desire  to  come 
home  at  Superior  Court  if  possible;  I  have  prospect  of  getting  liberty. 
******!  want  to  hear  how  the  crop  is  like  to  turn 
this  year  as  to  hay  and  English  grain.  I  have  sold  m^'  mare  and  want 
to  buy  another  if  hay  be  plenty.  Give  my  compliments  to  inquiring 
friends.  I  have  sent  a  number  of  letters  sealed  together,  but  I  fear  they 
will  not  arrive,  as  the  man  that  I  delivered  them  to,  afterwards  gave 
them  to  a  man  that  I  did  not  know.  Nat  Biglo  is  well  and  Job  Harris, 
and  the  company  in  general.    This  from  your  loving  husband,  till  death 

Thomas  Cowdin 

In  1764  Capt.  Cowdin  purchased  of  Samuel  Hunt 
"all  his  lands,  tenements  and   buildings  situated  thereon. 


28  Capt.  Thomas  Coivdin. 

lying  and  being  in  Fitchburg,"  and  removed  from  Worces- 
ter to  Fitchburg  in  July  of  the  same  ^^ear.  Mr.  Hunt's 
residence  had  been  open  as  an  inn  and  Capt.  Cowdin  con- 
tinued the  hospitalities  there  for  ten  years.  The  location 
on  Pearl  street  has  long  been  known  as  the  "Gen.  Wood 
place." 

Capt.  Cowdin  was  appointed  one  of  a  committee  to 
manage  and  take  care  of  building  a  new  meeting  house, 
and  gave  for  the  site  "an  acre  and  fort^^  rods  of  land 
from  his  wheat  field,"  at  the  corner  of  the  present  Cres- 
cent and  Blossom  streets.  The  town  voted  to  have  preach- 
ing for  six  weeks  during  the  winter  of  1764-65  in  Thomas 
Cowdin's  house.  The  services  were  continued  till  the 
following  autumn,  when  the  new  meeting  house  was  com- 
pleted. 

When  Thomas  Cowdin  became  a  voter  in  the  town  he 
was  elected  selectman  and  a  member  of  the  school  board, 
positions  held  by  him  for  many  years.  He  was  town  clerk 
from  1766  to  1775.  He  was  a  large  landholder,  owning 
400  acres  in  Fitchburg,  his  homestead,  including  about 
200  acres,  extending  from  Mt.  Vernon  street  to  Baker's 
brook.  In  1770  he  w^as  the  highest  taxpayer  in  town.  In 
1775  he  built  a  house  on  the  site  of  the  present  American 
House,  and  resided  there  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

The  majestic  presence,  clear  vision  and  rare  executive 
ability  of  Esquire  Cowdin  gave  him  the  right  of  way 
among  his  fellow-citizens.  He  was  on  the  alert  to  seize 
every  opportunity  for  gaining  fresh  information,  and  was 
relied  upon  for  shrewd  interpretation  of  the  present  and 
keen  forecast  of  the  future.  About  the  cheery  fire  in  the 
hirge  "corner  room"  of  the  second  stor^'  of  his  house  was 
often  held,  during  the  long  winter  evenings,  a  symposium 
of  the  leading  citizens,  including  Esciuirc  Fox,  Dr.  Snow, 
Messrs.  Hale,  John  Goodridge,  Abijah  Goodridge,  Asa 
Perry  and   others.     They  discoursed   of  things  known  and 


Capt.  Thomas  Cow  din.  29 

unknown, — of  problems  of  town  interests,  the  latest  news 
from  Boston,  the  relations  of  the  colonies  to  Old  England, 
the  nature  and  decrees  of  the  Deit3\  The  "Squire"  was  a 
leading  spirit,  but  often  sat  in  silence  till  others  had  ex- 
pressed their  various  opinions.  Not  a  point  escaped  his 
notice,  and  w^hen  persuaded  to  speak  he  went  straight  to 
the  heart  of  the  subject,  saying  much  in  few  words.  He 
was  privileged  to  teach  many  a  lesson  in  right  living  that, 
from  the  pulpit,  might  have  given  the  minister  long  leave 
of  absence. 

Esquire  Cowdin  was  justice  of  peace  and  trial  justice, 
and  equally  at  home  in  camp,  court  or  drawing-room.  As 
a  popular  magistrate  he  officiated  at  many  marriage 
ceremonies  in  Fitchburg,  Worcester  and  elsewhere.  We  see 
him  in  the  dress  of  his  time, — conventional  puce  coat,  long 
light  brocaded  waistcoat,  ruffled  bosom,  long  silk  stock- 
ings, silver  shoe-buckles  and  knee-buckles,  sparkling  with 
Bristol  diamonds — the  face  softened  by  his  modest  wig. 
He  is  alive,  even  to  the  outer  garments,  while  he  rever- 
ently speaks  the  potent  words  that  make  the  twain  one. 

In  1779  Thomas  Cowdin  became  a  member  of  the 
"ancient  Masons."  The  degrees  w^ere  conferred  upon  him 
b}'  Trinity  Lodge  of  Lancaster.  This  lodge  was  organized 
in  the  midst  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  liberally  re- 
cruited from  men  in  the  military  service  on  the  colonial 
side.  Its  officers  took  their  degrees  from  St.  Andrew's 
Lodge,  chartered  from  Scotland,  and  having  its  meeting 
place  at  the  Green  Dragon  Tavern  in  Boston.  Its  mem- 
bers were  leading  men,  among  w^hom  w^ere  Warren,  Revere 
and  Hancock.  Trinity  Lodge  caught  their  spirit  of  pa- 
triotism and  enterprise,  and  Paul  Revere  was  sometimes 
present  at  their  meetings.  We  can  imagine  what  these 
touches  of  kindred  spirit  and  bands  of  the  mystic  tie 
meant  to  the  loyal  and  wide-awake  Thomas  Cowdin. 


30  Capt.  Thomas  Cowdin. 

The  sorest  trial  of  Esquire  Cowdin's  public  life  came 
at  the  high  tide  of  his  mature  manhood,  when  the  agita- 
tion arose  that  culminated  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution. 
He  could  not  at  once  turn  from  his  king,  furl  the  good 
English  flag  under  which  he  had  so  long  and  loyally  served, 
and  adjust  himself  to  the  new  order  of  things  proposed. 
He  believed  that  King  George  would  see  the  wrongs  to 
the  colonists  and  secure  their  rights.  When  misunder- 
stood, and  sometimes  called  a  Tory,  his  dignified  reticence 
showed  his  native  nobility  in  high  relief.  Notwithstanding 
his  apparent  loyalty  to  the  king,  he  sent  his  son  Thomas 
with  a  load  of  provisions  for  the  minute  men,  when  on 
their  march  to  Concord  and  Lexington. 

To  his  broad,  true,  sensitive  nature  the  sting  must 
have  been  poignant  when  his  name  was  dropped  from  the 
roll  of  town  officers  for  the  first  time  after  he  became  a 
voter  in  the  town,  but  he  proved  himself  "better  than  he 
that  taketh  a  city."  Honestly  and  fearlessly  he  continued 
his  duties,  "in  praise  and  in  dispraise  the  same." 

He  was  not  the  man  to  bear  prolonged  taxation  with- 
out representation,  and  when  radical  means  became  neces- 
sary he  heartily  espoused  the  cause  of  the  independent 
colonists.  When  the  alarm  arose  at  Bennington  in  1777 
he  responded  to  the  call  of  Gen.  Stark,  and  had  marched 
ninety  miles  toward  Bennington  when  the  company,  no 
longer  needed,  was  discharged  by  Gen.  Lincoln.  In  1778 
Capt.  Cowdin  enlisted  for  eight  months'  service  in  the 
state  of  New  York.  In  1779  he  enlisted  for  three  months 
as  captain  in  Col.  James  Denny's  regiment,  raised  by  order 
of  the  general  court  Oct.  6,  to  reinforce  the  Continental 
army  in  the  state  of  New  York.  Gen.  Burgoyne  surren- 
dered Oct.  17,  and  Capt.  Cowdin  was  discharged  Oct.  23. 

No  labor  was  too  hard  and  no  sacrifice  too  great  in 
this  cause;  and  the  citizens  awoke  to  a  fuller  comprehen- 
sion of  the  true  character    of   Esquire    Thomas    Cowdin, 


MRS.    HANNAH    COWDIN. 


Capt.  T/iomas  Coxvdin.  31 

honored  his  unswerving  adherence  to  his  convictions,  and 
chose  him  representative  to  the  first  general  court  under 
the  new  constitution  in  1780,  and  also  in  several  subse- 
quent years.     His  influence  became  more  powerful  than  ever. 

During  Shays'  rebellion  "the  theater  of  which  was  in 
Worcester  county,"  he  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  gov- 
ernment and  administered  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  all 
w^hose  loyalty  w^as  suspected. 

In  all  his  services  under  the  native  British  flag,  and 
later  under  the  stars  and  stripes,  the  spirit  of  Capt.  Cow- 
din  was  well  typified  by  the  regal  lions  of  the  Cowdin 
coat-of-arms. 

We  cannot  obtain  a  true  estimate  of  the  life  of  Esquire 
Cowdin  without  some  glimpses  of  his  family  relations,  in 
which  he  was  especially  happy.  Brave  as  a  lion  in  war, 
he  was  gentle  as  a  woman  with  his  wife  and  daughters 
at  his  own  fireside. 

Mrs.  Hannah  (Craig)  Cowdin  was  a  woman  of  ster- 
ling character  and  worthy  of  her  honored  husband.  Her 
portrait  indicates  broad  comprehension  and  sound  judg- 
ment. The  features  suggest  the  statement  of  Lavater: 
"The  double  chin,  coupled  with  the  rounded  nose,  charac- 
terizes a  mind  that  can  rise  to  heights,  is  firm,  reflecting, 
but  not  obstinate.  A  face  so  endowed  is  reason's  own 
image."  All  traditions  represent  Mrs.  Cowdin  as  endowed 
with  strong  mental  power,  and  the  physical  health  to 
make  that  power  effective  in  many  directions.  Her  deep 
affection  was  a  potent  influence  in  controlling  their  large 
family  of  boys.  Jupiter  seems  to  have  been  the  natal  star 
of  each  of  the  eight  sons,  for  they  were  among  the  mer- 
riest of  the  merry  boys  of  Fitchburg.  In  mature  years 
they  gratefully  remembered  their  mother's  wise  counsel 
and  strict  training  in  gallantry.  They  paid  great  respect 
and  deference  to  their  mother,  alwa3^s  uncovering  their 
heads  in  her  presence  and  standing  till  invited  to  be  seated. 


32  Capt.  Thomas  Cowdhi. 

When  taking  drives  in  her  well-known  chaise,  arrayed 
in  the  scarlet  cloak  of  the  period,  Mrs.  Cowdin  never  for- 
got to  fill  her  capacious  embroidered  pocket  with  confec- 
tionery or  other  goodies  for  the  children  hy  the  wayside 
that  remembered  their  respectful  bows  and  courtesies. 
The  unmannerly  were  passed  in  dignified  silence. 

The  servants  of  Esquire  and  Mrs.  Cowdin  were  de- 
voted to  the  family  interests.  Till  the  emancipation  act 
in  1780  some  of  these  were  colored,  and  owned  by  Esquire 
Cowdin.  When  one  earned  his  freedom  a  grand  banquet 
was  given  and  friends  of  the  family  and  of  the  freeman 
were  invited  for  miles  around.  Bonfires  were  built,  and 
violins,  banjos,  drums  and  cymbals  aided  in  expressing 
the  jubilance  of  spirit  of  the  merry  men. 

The  freemen  were  unwilling  to  leave  Esquire  Cowdin 
and  remained  as  hired  servants.  Two  of  these  servants, 
the  ebony  Nancy  and  Mevus,  were  specially  identified  with 
the  family,  Nancy  as  maid  servant  to  Mrs.  Cowdin  and 
Mevus  as  body  servant  to  the  Esquire.  These  played  an 
important  part  in  many  a  family  story,  as  in  the  adven- 
ture with  the  bear,  in  which  the  young  son,  Angier,  is  the 
hero.  While  going  on  an  errand,  Angier  espied  a  bear  close 
by  a  huge  log.  Speeding  home  he  asked  his  father  for  a 
gun,  but  was  refused,  the  father  probably  thinking  an 
imaginary  gun  more  suitable  for  killing  an  imaginary 
bear.  Nancy,  hearing  the  refusal,  finds  a  gun,  arms  Angier, 
and  diverts  the  father's  attention,  while  the  young  hunter 
flees  by  the  back  door.  The  feat  was  soon  accomplished, 
and  some  admiring  woodsmen  brought  the  bear  and  laid 
it  before  the  door  of  Esquire  Cowdin's  house.  "Who 
killed  that  bear ?"  exclaimed  the  astonished  father.  "Your 
son  Angier  killed  the  bear,"  replied  one  of  the  woodsmen. 
"No,  he  did  not,  for  I  refused  him  the  gun,"  responded 
the  father.  Just  then  Nancy  appeared.  "I  gave  Angier 
the  gun,   and   he  did   kill    the    bear,"   she  answered,   with 


Capt.  Thomas  Cowdin.  33 

characteristic  pride  and  privilege.  "Nancy"  (with  a  rising 
inflection),  "you  are  a  curious  girl,"  was  the  only  reproof. 
The  chuckling  woodsmen,  the  proud  father,  the  modest 
Angier,  and  the  triumphant  Nancy  were  a  group  for  a 
painter's  canvas. 

Mevus  spent  his  leisure  time  in  practice  upon  the 
violin,  and  became  an  important  personage  at  the  merry- 
makings in  Fitchburg  and  surrounding  towns. 

The  impress  of  the  heads  of  the  household  extended  to 
all  its  belongings,  including  the  family  dog,  Rover,  a  fine 
specimen  of  dogship,  a  loyal  sentinel  of  the  house,  and  a 
safe  guardian  of  the  children  in  their  rambles. 

Rover  was  as  much  entitled  to  honorable  mention  and 
enrollment  with  historic  dogs  as  the  classic  "Rab," — de- 
clared by  Dr.  Brown  "as  worthy  in  his  own  line  as  Julius 
Cgezar  or  the  Duke  of  Wellington."  By  what  escapade 
Rover  received  the  nickname  "Brandy"  is  now  forgotten, 
but  he  was  doomed  to  bear  it  the  remainder  of  his  event- 
ful days.  His  feats  were  rehearsed  133^  all  lovers  of  dogs. 
A  traveller  arrived  greatly  troubled  b}^  the  loss  of  a  valu- 
able watch.  Brandy's  sympathies  were  enlisted,  and  he 
understood  the  word  "lost."  After  circling  about  the 
stranger,  he  ran  before  the  searchers  straight  to  a  brook, 
dived,  and  brought  up  the  missing  watch,  the  traveller 
having  dropped  it  while  watering  his  horse. 

A  villager  asserted  that,  if  asked,  Brandy  would  take 
a  hat  from  the  signpost.  On  a  bet  of  $25  and  the  risk  of 
a  fine  new  hat,  he  was  given  the  task.  He  jumped  higher 
and  higher,  till  many  spectators  gathered  to  watch  the 
result.  The  second  day,  nearly  exhausted.  Brandy  trotted 
with  the  tattered  brim  to  the  owner.  The  "charity-  box" 
was  enriched  to  the  amount  of  the  bet,  and  the  lesson  in 
perseverance  given  to  children  and  children's  children. 

In  later  3'ears  the  children  of  Esquire  Cowdin  remem- 
bered with  pleasure  the  winter  evenings  when  their  father 


34  Capt.  Thomas  Coivdin. 

told  stirring  tales  of  the  past,  interweaving  lessons  of  his- 
tory relating  to  important  epochs  in  England,  Scotland 
and  Ireland,  and  recounting  the  struggles  in  which  his 
ancestors  had  borne  part. 

When  a  storm  promised  security  from  interruption  the 
children  knew  their  petition  for  a  story  would  be  granted, 
and  the  entire  household  anticipated  the  entertainment 
with  pleasure.  Mevus  selected  his  best  back-log,  top-log 
and  forestick,  and  piled  high  his  choicest  pine  knots  in  the 
ample  fireplace.  Even  Brandy  early  stretched  himself  in 
listening  attitude.  To  the  boys  the  tales  of  their  father's 
military  days  were  of  most  thrilling  interest.  When  these 
began  the  door  was  softly  moved  ajar  by  the  outside  audi- 
ence of  servants.  When  the  boys  wished  to  make  sure  of 
hearing  the  old  clock  in  the  corner  dole  out  the  midnight 
hour,  they  begged  for  stories  of  hair-breadth  escapes  from 
the  Indians.  The  father  was  transformed  into  the  military 
commander  as  he  paced  up  and  down  the  long,  wain- 
scotted  room,  giving  vivid  portrayals  of  the  manner  of 
life  and  warfare  of  those  sons  of  the  forest. 

A  Louisbourg  evening  was  especially  memorable. 
Without  was  the  howling  of  the  wind  down  the  valley, 
the  plaintive  soughing  of  the  surrounding  pines,  the  swirl- 
ing of  the  drifting  snow  against  the  window  panes. 
Esquire  Cowdin  was  a  master  in  narrative  and  anecdote, 
and  described  with  graphic  words  the  successive  events  be- 
tween the  hesitating  vote  of  the  Assembly  in  the  Province 
of  Massachusetts  Bay,  and  the  unconditional  surrender  of 
the  French  fort  at  Louisbourg.  .  He  pictured  the  fitting 
out  at  the  old  homestead,— father,  mother,  brothers  and 
sisters  v\dng  with  each  other  in  the  equipment,  and  fear- 
ing these  would  be  the  last  ministrations  to  their  brave 
Thomas;  the  march  through  Boston  with  beating  drums 
and  clashing  cymbals,  to  the  shore  where  waited  the  snows, 
frigates  and  transports ;   the  sailing  of  the  white-winged 


Capt.  Thomas  Cowdin.  35 

fleet,  bearing  the  streaming  motto,  "M7  desperandum 
Christo  duce:'^  the  booming  of  cannon  from  Fort  Hill  and 
the  Sconce;  the  waving  of  handkerchiefs  and  bidding  "God- 
speed" by  all  Boston  as  the  city  faded  from  sight.  Their 
motto,  given  by  Whitefield,  was  graven  on  the  hearts  of 
many  of  his  followers  in  the  ships,  giving  the  whole  move- 
ment the  cast  of  an  ancient  crusade.  He  related  the  hard- 
ships after  leaving  the  vessels.  Fourteen  successive  nights 
thc}^  struggled  to  reach  the  fort,  wading  knee-deep  in  the 
mud  and  dragging  their  cannon  upon  sledges,  in  and  out 
among  the  weird,  black  stumps  of  ancient  trees.  Sleeping 
upon  the  cold,  wet  ground  brought  fever  and  death  to 
many  a  brave  comrade.  At  the  father's  recital  of  the 
simple  burial  rites  over  those  who  fell  by  the  way,  a  hush 
fell  upon  the  eager  listeners  at  the  fireside,  while  the  storm 
wailed  a  fitting  dirge  for  those  sleeping  in  their  nameless 
graves. 

After  fortj'-seven  days'  siege,  of  varying  success,  and 
when  about  to  make  the  final  attack,  the  white  flag  was 
hoisted  by  the  enemy,  and  the  army  entered  the  citadel. 
Within  was  a  French  Jesuit  chapel,  in  which  one  of  the 
victors  preached  a  stanch  Puritan  sermon.  The  cross  in 
the  chapel  was  taken  as  a  trophy  to  Boston,  and  at 
length  placed  over  the  entrance  to  the  library  of  Harvard 
college.  New  Englanders,  filled  with  joy  over  their  first 
military  victory,  rang  bells  all  day,  built  bonfires  on  the 
hilltops  at  night,  and   held   thanksgivings  in  the  churches. 

The  account  of  the  reception  in  Boston  for  the  heroes 
from  Louisbourg  led  each  son  to  decide  that  he  would  be  a 
soldier,  and  as  the  father  pointed  to  the  tall  old  clock, 
ringing  cheers  re-echoed  the  exultation  of  1745,  and  out- 
vied the  diapason  of  the  storm. 

The  ambitions  of  the  sons  were  so  far  realized  that  of 
the  eight  sons  of  Esquire  Cowdin  four  gained   the  title  of 


36  Capt.  Thomas  Coivdiu. 

captain,  and  a  grandson,  Robert  Cowdin,  wore  the  epau- 
lettes of  a  brigadier-general. 

The  story  of  a  deserter  was  often  told.  He  fled  to 
New  York  state,  Capt.  Cowdin  in  hot  pursuit.  On  Sun- 
da}'  morning  came  an  intimation  that  the  fugitive  had 
sought  refuge  in  a  Dutch  meeting  house.  The  captain 
entered,  stepped  lightly  up  the  aisle,  espied  the  man  and 
made  him  prisoner,  to  the  great  amazement  of  minister 
and  congregation.  A  sharp  struggle  followed,  but  the 
renegade  was  overpowered,  endangering  the  captain's  life, 
bound  and  taken  to  Boston,  to  be  put  into  Castle  Wil- 
liam. Investigation  showed  his  last  desertion  was  from 
Crown  Point,  and  Cowdin  was  ordered  to  take  the  pris- 
oner to  that  place.  The  long  marches  by  day,  the  lonely 
campings  by  night,  and  the  conversations  by  the  way 
with  the  man  who  knew  death  awaited  him  at  the  end 
of  the  journey,  were  memorable  experiences  in  the  life  of 
the  intrepid  ofllicer. 

The  occasions  were  rare  when  the  father  would  unfold 
the  panorama  of  Acadian  days.  The  heart  of  the  strong 
man  failed  before  memories  of  events  vividly  presented  in 
the  "Evangeline"  of  our  poet  Longfellow — memories  of 
the  hour  w'hen 

"Softly  the  Angelus  sounded," 

and  that  later  hour  when 

"from  the  church  no  Angelus  sounded" — 

luemories  of  many  an  Evangeline  in  "her  Norman  cap 
and  kirtle  of  blue,"  and  many  a  Gabriel  with  "face  like 
the  face  of  the  morning." 

Not  infrequently  the  stories  of  Esquire  Cowdin  w^ere 
of  merry-makings  in  the  great  hall  of  the  "Red  Horse 
Tavern"  in  Sudbury,  christened  b}'-  Longfellow  the  "Way- 
side Inn;"  a  "kind  of  old  hobgoblin  hall,"  surrounded  by 
oaks    and    elms,   and    l)uilt  in   1701.     From    one  of  these 


Capt.  Thomas  Cowditi.  37 

swung  the  sign-board   with  the  "Red   Horse  prancing  on 
the  sign." 

This  inn  was  on  the  King's  highway',  about  twenty- 
miles  from  Boston,  a  common  halting  place  for  soldiers 
on  their  marches  to  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point  during 
the  F'rench  and  Indian  war.  Lafayette  and  Washington 
were  entertained  beneath  its  roof.  The  landlord,  Col.  Eze- 
kiel  Howe,  knew  how  to  plan  festivities  for  the  French, 
English  and  colonial  officers  who  were  often  his  guests, 
and  for  travelers  on  pleasure  trips  to  and  from  Boston. 
Nor  were  the  market  men,  with  their  homelier  jollities,  less 
heartily  welcomed. 

Till  past  threescore  and  ten,  Esquire  Cowdin  was 
strong  in  heart  and  intellect.  He  was  keenly  alive  to  the 
interests  of  the  town  of  Fitchburg — the  *schools,  the  mili- 
tia and  the  church.  He  was  honored,  and  "one  of  the 
richest  men  of  his  time;"  and  the  great  secret  of  his  suc- 
cess and  power  w^as  his  unswerving  integrity.  One  would 
have  expected  to  see  the  stars  move  from  their  courses  as 
soon  as  Esquire  Cowdin  deviating  from  what  he  believed 
to  be  right.     He  was  trusted  as 

"That  tower  of  strength 
That  stands  four-square 
To  all  the  winds  that  blow." 

We  hear  more  of  his  deeds  than  of  his  creeds,  the 
whole  tenor  of  his  life  showing  his  steady  aim 

"to  do 
With  cheerful  heart  the  work  that  God  appoints." 

He  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  six  of  his  children 
allied  by  marriage  with  some  of  the  best  families  in  New 
England,  and  a  flock  of  grandchildren  making  merry  at 
his  home  on  Thanksgiving  da3'^s. 

A    close    stud3'    of    the    development    of    the    town    of 

•Oct.  9,  1780,  he  gave   £500  "to  be  Scoold    out  in  the  School   house   Sot  on 
sd  Cowdins   Land,"  as  appears   by  an    entry  in  his   records  as  town   clerk.     The 
town's  appropriation  for  all  the  schools  at  that  date  was  £2000. 
4 


38  Capt.  Thomas  Cowdin. 

Fitchburg  would  reveal  much  unwritten  history  of  Thomas 
Cow'din's  work.  When  this  work  was  done,  the  town 
clerk  of  Fitchburg  wrote  in  the  record:  "Thomas  Cow- 
din,  Esq.,  departed  this  life  at  Fitchburg  April  22,  1792, 
in  the  72d  year  of  his  age.  Being  the  Lord's  da^^  morn- 
ing, at  10  o'clock."  The  interment  was  in  the  old  South 
street  cemetery,  beside  his  son  William. 

Mrs.  Cowdin  administered  upon  the  estate  and  guided 
her  five  children,  who  were  minors,  with  that  judgment 
and  energy  that  had  characterized  her  management  of 
home  affairs  during  her  husband's  absences  in  the  army. 
She  was  full  of  good  works,  helping  others  with  generous 
hand  and  kindly  heart.  She  spent  her  latest  years  in 
Fitchburg,  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Jacob  Upton.  She 
died  July  30,  1822,  and  was  buried  beside  her  husband 
and  son  in  the  old  South  street  cemetery. 

John  Cowdin  of  Boston  has  erected  on  the  summit  of  Laurel  Hill 
a  substantial  memorial  to  his  grandparents,  Capt.  Thomas  and  Hannah 
Cowdin.  The  monument  is  a  plain  shaft  of  Quincy  granite,  with  highly 
polished  tablets.  The  one  toward  Rollstone  street  bears  the  inscription : 
"Thomas  Cowdin,  born  1720.  Died  1792.  He  was  elected  in  1780  first 
representative  to  the  general  court  of  Massachusetts  from  Fitchburg, 
under  the  new  constitution.  Erected  b}-  his  grandson,  John  Cowdin  of 
Boston."  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  monument  is  the  inscription: 
"Hannah,  wife  of  Thomas  Cowdin.  Born  1740.  Died  1822."  On  the 
side  toward  Laurel  street  is  simply  "Cowdin,"  in  raised  letters. 

The  monument  is  one  of  the  largest  in  this  "city  of  the  dead." 
Capt.  Cowdin's  remains,  which  have  rested  for  ninety-two  j'ears  in  the 
South  street  cemetery,  and  those  of  his  son,  will  be  taken  up  and 
interred  by  this  monument.  The  monument  is  a  filling  memorial  of  Ihe 
most  prominent  of  the  early  citizens  of  Fitchburg. —  Fitchburg  Sentinel, 
Oct.  4,  1884. 

John  Cowdin  died  soon  after  the  setting  of  the  monu- 
ment and  the  reinterments  have  not  been  made.  The 
family  Bil^le  of  Thomas  Cowdin,  Esq.,  purchased  in  1762, 
is  in  possession  of  Hon.  Nathaniel  Augustus  Cowden  of 
Batavia,  N.  Y. 


ASA    THURSTON, 
THE    PIONEER    MISSIONARY. 

Read  at  a  Meeting  of  the  Society,  May  17,   1898. 
BY    EBENEZER    BAILEY. 


Far  out  in  the  Pacific  ocean,  twent3^-one  hundred  miles 
from  San  Francisco,  lie  the  Hawaiian  or  Sandwich  Islands. 
Far  away  as  they  are  from  the  city  of  Fitchburg,  w^e  yet 
have  a  peculiar  interest  in  them — an  interest  shared  by  but 
very  few  New  England  towns.  For  here,  on  one  of  our 
own  hillsides,  ^vas  born  and  reared  a  man  who  was  one 
of  the  founders  of  that  nation  of  the  sea,  which  to-day 
stands  before  the  world  a  civilized  and  Christian  republic, 
and  may  soon  become  a  part  of  our  national  domain. 

John  Thurston  came  to  Fitchburg  from  Rowley,  Mass., 
about  1765,  with  his  wife,  Lydia,  and  seven  children.  He 
settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Alonzo 
Eaton,  on  the  Fisher  road,  in  the  easterly  part  of  the 
city,  and  entered  with  enthusiasm  into  the  pursuit  of 
agriculture,  raised  the  finest  apples  in  this  region,  and 
owned  a  cider  mill.  He  had  been  a  soldier  in  the  French 
and  Indian  war,  and  was  enrolled  as  a  minute  man  in 
1775.  He  was  also  one  of  the  first  deacons  of  the  first 
church  in  Fitchburg.  His  fifth  son  was  Thomas,  who 
grew  up  on  the  farm  until  he  was  of  an  age  to  leave  the 
paternal  roof,  when  his  father  apprenticed  him  to  a  Mr. 
Brown  of  Concord,  Mass.,  to  learn  the  shoemaker's  trade. 


40  Asa   Thw'ston,  the  Pioneer  Missionary . 

To  his  work  at  the  shoemaker's  bench  he  joined  the  pro- 
fession of  a  music  teacher,  and  we  soon  find  him  teaching 
singing  schools  in  Concord  and  the  surrounding  towns. 
In  this  he  not  only  gained  a  reputation  as  a  musician, 
but  also  a  wife,  Lydia  Davis,  one  of  his  scholars.  After 
his  marriage  he  came  to  Fitchburg,  settled  on  a  farm  in 
the  northwest  part  of  the  town  and  began  to  break  up 
the  land.  But  his  wife  was  homCvsick  and  induced  him  to 
return  to  Concord,  where  for  more  than  a  year  he  worked 
at  shoemaking.  Then  he  returned  to  the  farm  which  he 
had  left  in  Fitchburg,  where  he  lived  during  the  remainder 
of  his  life,  which  terminated  August  5,  1807.  He  was  the 
leading  musician  in  this  region,  and  for  thirty  3^ears  was 
the  leader  of  the  church  choir.  He  was  generally  called 
Captain  Tom  Thurston. 

The  homestead  of  Captain  Thomas  Thurston  was  the 
farm  known  as  the  Taylor  place,  now  occupied  by  George 
W.  Taylor,  in  the  northwest  part  of  Fitchburg,  at  the 
end  of  the  Thurston  road,  leading  from  the  Ashby  West 
road,  just  beyond  Scott  reservoir.  It  is  situated  on  a 
height  of  land  overlooking  the  easterly  portion  of  the 
city  and  commands  a  beautiful  and  extensive  view.  Pearl 
hill  is  seen  most  distinctly,  and  further  to  the  south  and 
east  the  hills  of  Lunenburg,  and  so  on  in  the  same  direc- 
tion till  the  view  takes  in  the  Bolton  hills  in  the  distance. 

The  present  structure  is  a  good  looking,  substantial 
farm  house,  but  with  proofs  of  age  in  its  construction 
and  inside  finish.  Fully  half  of  the  westerly  part  of  the 
building  has  been  added  to  the  original  structure,  and  the 
old  door-rock  can  still  be  seen  where  once  must  have  been 
the  front  door.  Entering  the  present  shed,  which  is  at- 
tached to  the  east  of  the  house,  one  sees  the  original  shed 
front  as  it  must  have  been  in  the  time  of  Asa  Thurston. 
In  his  time,  too,  the  outside  surroundings  must  have  given 
a  somewhat  different  appearance  to  the  place,  for  the  for- 


ASA  THURSTON. 


Asa   Thursto7i,  the  Pioneer  Missionary.  41 

est  came  nearer  the  house  and  there  was  less  open  land 
around. 

Here  Asa  Thurston  was  born  on  the  twelfth  day  of 
October,  1787,  the  fourth  child  and  second  son  of  Thomas 
Thurston,  and  here  he  grew  up  in  a  large  family  of  good 
New  England  stock,  in  a  typical  New  England  home.  His 
brothers  and  sisters  were  Thomas,  Hannah,  Elizabeth, 
Ebenezer,  PolW,  C3'rus,  Sylvania,  Mahala  and  Maria. 
The  school  house  ^vas  near  by,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
road  from  the  present  school  house  in  the  Page  district, 
and  here  Asa  went  to  school  to  Caleb  Wilder,  w^ho  is  rep- 
resented as  being  a  "terror  to  rogues,  big  and  little." 
When  he  reached  the  age  of  fourteen  years  there  \vas  a 
change  in  his  life.  He  was  apprenticed  for  seven  years  to 
John  and  Joseph  Farwell,  scythe  makers,  whose  shop  was 
on  the  south  side  of  what  is  now  West  Main  street,  a 
short  distance  above  the  River  street  bridge,  and  he 
boarded  with  Joseph  Farwell,  who  lived  where  is  now  the 
residence  of  Gerry  B.  Bartlett.  The  Farwell  house  now 
stands  on  the  corner  of  Lunenburg  street  and  Highland 
avenue.  Somewhat  of  an  event  for  him  this  must  have 
been — the  change  from  the  farm  and  the  school  to  the 
work  of  the  shop  and  the  more  stirring  incidents  of  the 
village. 

He  enjoyed  life  and  action.  Always  fond  of  active 
sports,  he  early  became  proficient  in  wrestling,  and  seldom 
was  there  found  an  antagonist  who  was  his  superior.  In 
those  daj^s  wrestling  was  one  of  the  principal  diversions 
of  the  young  men,  and  these  trials  of  strength  and  agility 
were  of  common  occurrence  at  the  store,  or  after  work  at 
the  shop,  or  at  any  place  of  general  gathering.  Asa  was 
not  the  onh'  member  of  his  famih^  who  could  wrestle. 
His  youngest  brother,  Cj'rus,  so  long  and  so  well  known 
in  Fitchburg,  although  small  of  stature,  was  quick  and 
wiry,  and  it  was  almost  impossible  to  floor  him.     On  one 


42  Asa   Thurstouy  the  Pioneer  Missionary. 

occasion  he  was  wrestling  with  Ebenezer  Torrey  in  Per- 
kins' store.  It  was  elbow  and  collar,  and  Mr.  Torrey  tried 
in  vain  to  lay  him  on  the  floor.  At  last,  discouraged  and 
disgusted,  he  lifted  him  by  the  collar  and  dumped  him  into 
a  hogshead  of  salt,  amid  the  laughter  of  the  crowd. 

The  work  in  the  shop  and  life  in  the  village  were  con- 
genial to  Asa.  Strong,  robust  and  active,  while  on  his 
way  to  his  work  he  vaulted  back  and  forth  over  the  rail 
fence  all  the  way  from  the  house  to  the  shop,  and  at 
noon  he  would  amuse  himself  and  others  by  jumping  in 
and  out  of  a  hogshead  without  touching  the  sides — a  dif- 
ficult and  dangerous  feat.  While  at  work  in  the  shop,  or 
using  his  superfluous  energy  in  athletic  sports,  there  was 
no  hint  of  the  future,  no  premonition  of  his  destiny.  The 
Sandwich  Islands,  lying  in  heathen  darkness  in  the  far 
away  Pacific,  and  the  young  apprentice  in  Fitchburg — a 
mysterious  Providence  was  even  then  weaving  the  web 
that  should  join  their  destiny. 

As  he  grew  older,  Asa's  temperament  led  him  into 
social  life  and  made  him  a  leader  there.  At  dances  and 
social  gatherings  he  was  brim  full  of  life,  and  if  there 
was  any  young  man  in  Fitchburg  who  thoroughly  enjoyed 
life  it  was  probably  Asa  Thurston. 

But  disease  and  death  are  factors  to  be  reckoned  with 
in  this  world.  In  the  autumn  of  1805  typhoid  fever  was 
prevalent  in  Fitchburg,  and  to  quite  a  number  it  proved 
fatal.  Asa  contracted  the  disease  and  for  some  time  his 
life  trembled  in  the  balance.  It  is  related  that  his  elder 
brother,  Thomas,  who  was  studying  for  the  ministry, 
watched  with  him  one  night,  and  that  he  spent  a  greater 
part  of  the  time  in  prayer.  The  next  morning,  when 
asked  about  his  brother,  he  said:  "Asa  will  get  well  and 
be  a  missionary,  but  I  shall  not  live  long." 

Mrs.  Thurston  nursed  her  son  with  a  mother's  care 
and  devotion,  and  he  recovered,  but  she  was  taken  down 


Asa   Thiirstoji,  the  Pioneer  Missionary.  43 

with  the  same  disease  and  died  January  19,  1806.  This 
sad  loss  to  him  was  quickly  followed  by  the  death  of 
his  brother  Thomas,  February  15,  and  thirteen  days  later 
by  the  death  of  his  sister  Elizabeth,  both  of  the  same  dis- 
ease. These  sad  events  had  a  powerful  and  lasting  effect 
upon  him.  Now  Asa  Thurston  began  to  feel  the  effect  of 
character  and  environment.  With  a  deeph'  affectionate  dis- 
position, fond  of  music,  a  natural  lover  of  pleasure,  and 
possessed  of  a  keen  sense  of  humor,  he  had  also  a  tender 
conscience  and  a  vein  of  strong  and  serious  feeling.  For 
years  his  mind  had  been  at  times  turned  to  the  subject  of 
religion ;  members  of  his  family  had  urged  him  to  profess 
a  Christian  life,  and  now,  again,  his  thoughts  turned  in 
that  direction,  and  most  seriously.  But  it  was  hard  for 
him  to  give  up  worldly  pleasures  and  take  only  the  will 
of  God  for  his  guide.  That,  with  him,  could  not  be  done 
in  any  half-way  or  doubting  manner;  it  must  be  a  self- 
renunciation.  The  whole  trend  of  his  temperament  and 
character  led  him  inevitablj'  to  that;  but  the  time  had 
not  yet  come.  In  six  months  he  was  again  in  the  ball 
room,  again  the  leader  in  pleasure,  and  apparently  forget- 
ful of  religion,  while  under  the  surface,  deep  within  his 
soul,  was  working  a  force  which  he  could  not  resist,  that 
brought  him  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  3'ears  to  a  public 
profession  of  religion,  and  henceforth  he  was  a  new  man. 
The  following  paper  was  written  by  him  and  pre- 
sented to  the  examining  committee  of  the  church  when  he 
w^as  propounded  for  admission.  It  was  formerly  in  pos- 
session of  Dea.  Alvan  Simonds  of  Boston,  and  was  first 
published  by  Mr.  Edwin  A.  Harris  in  his  pamphlet  on  the 
life  of  Asa  Thurston.  It  is  well  worthy  of  preservation  as 
a  help  to  the  study  of  character,  and  the  nature  and  ten- 
dencies of  religious  thought  in  the  early  years  of  the  nine- 
teenth centur3\ 


44  Asa   Thurston,  the  Pioneer  Missionary. 

I  lived  almost  entirely  unconcerned  abotit  my  precious  soul  till  I  was 
past  sixteen  years   of  age.     I  sometimes    thought  that  religion  was  of 
importance  and  that  I  would   attend   to  it  at  some  future  period,  but  I 
felt    disposed    to    put    off   repentance    to    a  more    convenient    season.     I 
thought  that  after  I  had  become   old  I  should  have  nothing  else  to  do 
but  to  attend  to  religion,  but  could  not  bear  the  thought  of  attending 
to  the  concerns  of  eternity  so  young.    I  thought  that  I  was  as  good  as 
many  others,  and  that  I  should  fare  as  well.    When  I  was  about  sixteen 
years  old  it  pleased  God  to  send  his  Holy  Spirit  to  convince  and  convict 
many  in   this  place  of  their  sins,  by   which  I  was  alarmed.     I  Ijegan  to 
think  religion  was  of  some  importance,  that  I  would  attend  to  it.    See- 
ing some  of  my  young  friends  and  connexions  embracing   the  Saviour 
and  singing  the  wonders  of  redeeming  love,  I   thought  I  should  like  to 
be  one  of  the  happy  number.    I  felt  somewhat  anxious  about  being  pre- 
pared for  death  and  eternity,  but  I  had   very  little  if  any  conviction  of 
sin  by   the  law.     I  knew  that   I   was  a  sinner,  but   I  had   no  realizing 
sense  of  the  opposition  of  my  heart  to  God   and   holiness.     I  knew  that 
I  must  repent  of  my  sins  or  perish  forever,  but  notwithstanding  all  this 
knowledge,  I  soon  lost  all  my  serious  impressions  and  anxious  thoughts 
about  myself  and  became  as  careless  as  ever.     But  I  could  not  go  on  in 
sin  with  so  calm  a  conscience  as  before.    Some  of  my  friends  and  con- 
nexions that  formerly    had  been  my  most    intimate    companions  in   sin 
became  faithful  witnesses  against  me,  and  in   particular  my   sister.     She 
would    often    reprove    me  for  my  folly.     Her   friendh'    voice    would    fre- 
quently  warn  me  in  the  most   solemn   manner:   "Why  will  you   not  for- 
sake   your   beloved    sinful    companions    and  go   along  with  me  ?    Do  be 
entreated,    my    dear    brother,    to    forsake    your    sins    and    embrace    the 
Saviour.     How  can  you  crucify  the  benevolent  Jesus?"     But  I  could  see 
no  loveliness  in  him,   so   I   said,   "Go  thy    way    for    this  time;    when   I 
have  a  more  convenient  season   I   will  call  for  thee."     And  thus  I  went 
on  in  my    own    chosen  way  till  at  length  God    appeared    in   judgment 
against  me  and    visited  me  with    sickness,   at  which    time  few,   if  any, 
expected  I  should  recover;   but  God,  being  rich  in  mercy,  saw  fit  to  for- 
bear, and   restored  me  to  health.    I  felt  somewhat  rejoiced,  but  had  no 
heart  to  sing  praises  to  God  for  his  mercy.    My  spared  life,  which  ought 
to  have    been    devoted   to    God,  was    spent    in   the    service  of  Satan.    I 
expected  I  should  have  no  more  to  trouble  me,  but  I  was  soon  arrested 
by  a  most    solemn    providence.    God    was    pleased    to   take  from    me  a 
most  affectionate  and  loving  mother.    This,  indeed,  was  a  most  solemn 
scene  to  me.    To  think  that  but  a  few  weeks  before  she   was  in   sound 
health,  and   I,  to   all  appearance,  on   the  verge  of  eternity,  and  then  to 


Asa   Thursto7i,  the  Pioneer  Missionary.  45 

look  back  and  behold  the  hand  of  God  in  restoring  me  to  health,  while 
she  was  called  into  the  eternal  world !  About  this  time  my  eldest 
brother  was  taken  sick,  and  in  a  short  time  departed  this  life.  In  his 
last  moments  I  stood  by  the  side  of  his  dying  bed,  to  hear  his  last,  his 
dying  admonition.  Solemn  and  heart-affecting  were  his  last  words.  He 
earnestly  entreated  me  to  see  first  that  my  peace  was  made  with  God. 
He  solemnly  warned  me  to  escape  from  the  wrath  to  come.  I  then 
made  some  resolves  that  I  woiild  attend  to  religion.  I  was  again  soon 
called  to  witness  the  departtire  of  my  sister.  She  was  one  of  the  richest 
of  heaven's  blessings  to  me,  and,  alas!  she  was  too  precious  a  blessing 
for  me  to  retain.  God  was  pleased  to  take  her  from  me,  and  thus  in 
about  the  space  of  six  weeks  I  was  called  to  part  with  a  most  affec- 
tionate parent,  a  most  faithful  brother,  and  an  affectionate  and  dear 
sister. 

I  thought  if  all  these  solemn  warnings  and  admonitions  that  I  had 
been  called  to  pass  through  did  not  excite  me  to  attend  to  the  concerns 
of  my  soul,  that  there  was  no  means  that  would.  But,  alas !  I  soon 
forgot  them  and  became  as  careless  and  heedless  as  ever,  and  more  so. 
That  I  was  extremeh'  hardened  in  sin  by  these  providences  is  evident 
from  this — in  about  six  months  I  was  engaged  in  the  ballroom !  Who 
would  have  thought  this  of  a  rational  creature  ?  To  look  back  on  the 
solemn  scenes  that  I  had  been  called  to  pass  through  so  lately,  and  then 
to  see  the  ungrateful,  stupid  part  I  was  acting!  Who  would  have 
thought  that  my  limbs,  that  had  been  so  latelj'  snatched  from  the 
grave,  would  have  been  suffered  to  move  in  the  service  of  Satan  ?  But 
I  scruple  not  to  sa}'  there  was  no  one  there  more  gay  and  active  than 
myself;  but  in  the  midst  of  these  scenes  of  gayetj'  and  sinful  pleasure 
these  solemn  words  of  my  deceased  brother  would  come  into  m3'^  mind, 
viz.,  "Escape  from  the  wrath  to  come."  These  words  followed  me  for 
the  space  of  about  four  j-ears,  until  at  length  I  was  brought  to  feel  that 
if  I  did  not  escape  I  should  soon  be  lifting  up  my  eyes  in  torment.  In 
this  solemn  situation  I  looked  back  on  my  past  life  with  trembling.  I 
then  saw  how  I  had  been  deaf  to  all  the  solemn  calls,  warnings  and 
invitations  of  the  gospel  and  the  offers  of  mercy.  I  saw  how  I  had 
been  fighting  against  God  all  my  da3's,  and  that  it  was  because  he  was 
God  and  not  man  that  I  was  spared. 

Twenty-two  years  of  my  precious  life  had  been  trifled  away  in  the 
service  of  Satan !  So  much  time  gone  to  eternity  and  the  deeds  thereof 
sealed  up  to  the  judgment  of  the  great  day !  In  this  solemn  situation  I 
l)id  farewell  to  my  gay  companions.  I  felt,  indeed,  that  I  was  in  a 
lonely  and  disconsolate  state.    In  this  gloomy  and  melancholy  situation 


46  Asa   Thurston,  the  Pioneer  Missionary. 

I  sometimes  attempted  to  ask  for  mercy,  but  no  mercy  could  I  find,  and, 
indeed,  I  could  see  no  mercy  that  I  deserved,  for  saith  the  eternal  God, 
"I  have  called,  but  ye  have  refused;  I  have  stretched  out  my  hand,  and 
no  man  regarded ;  therefore  I  will  laugh  at  your  calamity,  and  mock 
when  your  fear  cometh ;  when  distress  and  anguish  come  upon  you,  then 
shall  ye  call,  but  I  will  not  answer."  I  felt  that  God  had  called  so  long 
on  me  to  repent,  and  I  had  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  his  voice,  that  there 
could  be  no  hope  respecting  me.  I  found  that  my  heart  was  wholly  and 
totally  opposed  to  God  and  holiness,  and  that  it  would  be  just  in  God 
should  he  cast  me  off  forever.  All  the  solemn  warnings  that  had  been 
addressed  to  me  in  my  past  life  from  the  people  of  God,  and  in  particu- 
lar those  from  my  brother  and  sister,  stared  me  in  the  face.  I  could 
almost  hear  them  saying,  "Escape  from  the  wrath  to  come."  But  I 
could  see  no  way  of  escape  for  me.  I  thought  I  had  sinned  against  so 
much  light  and  knowledge  that  there  could  be  no  hope  respecting  such 
an  ungrateful  wretch  as  myself  1  sometimes  read  my  long-neglected 
Bible,  but,  dreadful  to  behold,  the  curses  of  the  divine  law  all  stood 
against  me.  I  looked  forward  to  the  dreadful  Judgment  day — there  I 
seemed  to  stand  trembling,  expecting  every  moment  to  hear  the  right- 
eous Judge  pronounce  the  awful  sentence,  "Depart!"  and  myself  saying, 
"Amen!  it  is  just!"  Under  these  solemn  considerations,  I  would  fre- 
quently ask  myself,  "What  shall  I  do?"  and  the  answer  would  always 
be  at  hand,  which  was  this — "Submit  to  God!"  and  at  length  I  was 
brought  to  feel  that  such  was  the  hardness  of  my  heart  and  the  stub- 
bornness of  my  will  that  nothing  short  of  the  power  that  raised  Christ 
from  the  dead  could  ever  subdue  the  heart  of  stone  and  bow  the  stub- 
born will.  I  then  felt  that  I  was  entirely  dependent  on  God's  sovereign 
will  and  pleasure,  and  that  he  would  do  with  and  dispose  of  me  and 
all  his  creatures  for  his  own  glory. 

I  was  brought,  as  I  humbly  hope  and  trust,  to  feel  willing  to  say, 
with  my  heart,  to  my  God,  "Glorify  thyself  with  me,  do  with  and  for 
me  that  which  shall  be  most  for  thine  honor  and  glory."  I  thought  I 
felt  willing  that  God  should  take  the  throne  that  I  had  been  long  con- 
tending with  him  about,  likewise  I  was  willing  to  cast  myself  down  at 
the  foot  of  sovereign  mercy.  I  then  was  brought  to  feel  the  way  in 
which  mercy  could  flow  down  to  such  a  heaven-daring  sinner  as  I  had 
been — and  to  my  joyful  surprise  I  beheld  with  the  eyes  of  the  mind  the 
Lord  of  life  and  glory  suspended  on  the  cross.  I  then  saw  how  my  sins 
had  pierced  his  innocent  hands  and  feet  and  fastened  them  to  the 
accursed  tree.  I  saw  the  big  wound  in  his  side  that  the  spear  of  unbe- 
lief had  made — and  then  I  seemed  to  hear  him   saying  to  me  (not   with 


Asa    Thnrstoiiy  the  Pioneer  Missionary.  47 

an  audible  voice,  but  by  his  Spirit),  "Come  unto  me,  look  and  live," 
and  trul^'  astonishing  and  animating  was  the  smiling  of  his  counte- 
nance. Oh,  how  cheerfulh'  did  I  embrace  him  as  the  Lord  my  righteous- 
ness. I  felt  willing  to  trust  my  all,  my  eternal  all,  in  his  hands.  Oh, 
how  sweet  was  the  union  and  communion  between  Christ  and  my  soul  I 
And  what  love  and  joy  then  filled  my  peaceful  brea.st!  Oh,  how  glori- 
ous was  that  Saviour  who  honored  the  divine  law,  in  my  view !  Even 
the  Lord  of  glory  condescended  to  dwell  in  the  heart  of  such  a  self- 
destroying  apostate.  Oh,  what  songs  of  praise  did  my  heart  sing  to 
my  God  and  Saviour !  I  felt  in  my  heart  that  the  inhabitants  of  heaven 
were  rejoicing  over  a  repenting,  returning  prodigal.  I  went  about  saj'- 
ing  to  myself,  "Can  this  be  true?"  Am  I  a  subject  of  the  love  of  God? 
Can  this  be  the  heart  so  lately  filled  with  bitterest  enmity  against  God 
and  all  goodness?  But  now  it  is  melting!  Melting  with  what?  Why, 
with  love  to  my  God  and  Saviour.  Who  can  measure  the  love  of 
Christ  ?  Surely-,  no  one.  It  is  boundless ;  it  cannot  be  fathomed.  And 
Oh,  what  gratitude  I  owe  to  my  God  for  his  long-suffering  patience 
with  such  a  vile  wretch,  and  for  the  wonders  he  has  wrought  for  me  in 
the  course  of  my  past  life.  Once  he  delivered  me  from  immediate  death 
by  the  untimely  discharge  of  a  gun,  and  once  his  almighty  arm  brought 
me  up  from  the  borders  of  the  grave.  Must  not  this  God  have  all  m^^ 
songs  and  all  my  love  ?  He  must  and  shall  have  the  first  share  in  the 
affections  of  m^'  heart.  I  must  count  all  things  but  loss  and  dross  for 
the  excellence  of  the  blessed  Immanuel.  I  think  I  now  take  comfort  and 
satisfaction  in  religion  if  I  am  not  deceived.  The  long-despised  band  of 
Christians  now  appear  most  lovely ;  they  have  the  first  share  in  my 
affections  below  my  God  and  Saviour.  I  think,  if  I  am  not  deceived,  I 
feel  willing  to  deny  myself  and  take  up  the  cross  and  follow  Christ. 

Asa  Thurston  now  felt  that  he  must  become  a  minister 
of  the  gospel,  and  to  that  end  he  must  obtain  a  suitable 
education.  He  entered  Yale  college  in  1812.  In  these  days 
he  would  have  been  quickly  seized  upon  as  just  the  man 
for  the  football  team  or  the  "Varsity"  crew.  As  it  was, 
he  participated  with  distinction  in  various  college  sports, 
and  his  athletic  ability  was  so  well  recognized  that  at  one 
time  he  was  requested  by  the  faculty  to  clear  a  room  of 
sophomores,  who  were  understood  to  be  prepciring  some 
plan   for  hazing    the  freshmen,   which   duty  he  easily   per- 


48  Asa   Tliursto7iy  tlie  Pioneer  Missionary. 

formed.  New  Haven  was  a  long  way  from  Fitchburg  at 
that  time,  and  he  came  home  but  seldom.  In  1815  he 
came,  however,  and  spent  some  weeks  here  during  the  col- 
lege vacation.  He  graduated  in  1816,  and  immediately 
entered  Andover  Theological  Seminary,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  1819,  ready  to  enter  upon  his  chosen  career 
of  a  missionary. 

The  Sandwich  or  Hawaiian  Islands,  although  they  had 
undoubtedl}^  been  previously  visited  by  Europeans,  were 
practically  discovered  by  Capt.  Cook,  who  landed  there  in 
1798,  and  who  gave  the  name  "Sandwich  Islands,"  and 
lost  his  life  at  the  hands  of  the  natives,  mainly  by  his 
own  folly  and  imprudence.  From  that  time  vessels  often 
touched  at  the  islands,  and  there  was  considerable  trade 
and  communication  with  them  in  the  opening  years  of  the 
nineteenth  century. 

About  the  year  1812,  a  boy  thirteen  or  fourteen 
years  of  age,  by  the  name  of  George  Prince  Tamoree, 
a  native  of  the  Sandwich  Islands,  was  living  in  Fitch- 
burg. He  was  the  son  of  King  Kaumualii,  of  the  island 
of  Kauai.  George,  who  is  called  in  some  histories 
"Tamoree,"  and  in  some  "Kaumualii,"  was  brought  to 
this  country  by  an  American  sea  captain,  to  whom  he  was 
entrusted  by  his  father,  either  that  he  might  obtain  an 
education,  or  because  the  king's  wife,  or  more  likely  one 
of  the  king's  wives,  was  jealous  of  the  boy,  and  the  father 
wished  to  remove  him  from  her  sphere  of  influence.  At 
any  rate  he  came,  and  the  captain  who  had  charge  of  his 
funds,  lost  them,  and  the  boy  was  thrown  upon  his  own 
resources.  Where  or  how  he  lived  we  do  not  know^  (except 
that  at  one  time  he  was  a  carpenter's  apprentice)  until  he 
came  to  Fitchburg.  Here  he  is  known  to  have  been  in  the 
family  of  Rev.  Mr.  Cutting,  a  Baptist  minister,  for  a 
short  time.  Mr.  Alonzo  Goodridge  remembers  that  the 
lad    used   to    draw    liim    to    school   on  a  sled,   the  school 


Asa   Thitrston,  the  Pioneer  Missioiiary.  49 

house    being    located    a  short    distance    beyond    the    poor 
farm,  on  the  Wanoosnoc  Hill  road. 

Afterward,  Mr.  Thomas  Litch,  who  was  the  father  of 
Charles  S.  Litch  of  this  citj^  and  of  A.  K.  Litch,  who 
formerly  kept  a  hardware  store  on  Main  street,  took  the 
3^oung  fellow  and  employed  him  at  his  tannery,  which 
was  located  at  the  intersection  of  Pearl  and  Townsend 
streets.  Being  punished  by  Mr.  Litch  for  some  fault, 
George  ran  away  and  never  again  made  his  appearance  in 
Fitchburg,  although  Mr.  Goodridge's  grandmother  Pearce 
believed  him  to  be  in  hiding  for  some  time  on  their  farm. 
He  enlisted  in  the  U.  S.  navy,  was  wounded  in  the  engage- 
ment between  the  Enterprise  and  the  Boxer.  He  after- 
wards went  to  the  Mediterranean  and  was  in  an  engage- 
ment with  an  Algerine  vessel.  When  the  vessel  returned 
to  Charleston,  S.  C,  some  friends  got  him  released  from 
service  and  sent  him  to  the  school  for  heathen  youth,  at 
Cornwall,  Conn. 

George  afterward  returned  to  his  home  in  the  Sand- 
wich Islands  in  the  same  vessel  with  Asa  Thurston  and 
the  pioneer  mission  band.  He  met  with  a  cordial  recep- 
tion from  his  father.  King  Kaumualii,  who  gave  him  a 
post  of  great  importance  in  the  kingdom,  and  a  large  and 
valuable  tract  of  land.  The  king  said,  "I  love  Hoome 
(Hoome,  the  name  given  him  hy  the  natives,)  very  much 
more  than  m3'  other  children.  I  thought  he  was  dead.  I 
cry  many  times  because  I  think  he  was  dead.  Some  cap- 
tains tell  me  he  live  in  America.  I  say  no,  he  dead.  He 
no  more  come  back.  But  now  he  come  again.  My  heart 
very  glad." 

The  hopes  which  the  missionaries  had  built  up  on 
account  of  having  an  educated  and  Christian  native  prince 
with  them  were  not  realized.  The  Christian  principle  of 
George  was  not  strong  enough  to  prevent  a  partial 
relapse  into  the  habits  and  customs  of  his  ancestors,  and 


60  Asa   Thtirston,  the  Pioneer  Missionary. 

when  his  father  died  and  he  found  that  the  kingdom  had 
been  alienated  from  him,  he  was  induced  to  head  a  rebel- 
lion, w^as  defeated  and  driven  into  the  mountains  with  his 
wife  and  child.  He  was  finally  captured  when  nearly  fam- 
ished, taken  to  the  island  of  (3haua  and  kindly  treated, 
but  he  died  in  a  few  years. 

We  will  now  pass  to  the  stor}^  of  another  Sandwich 
Island  boy  by  the  name  of  Obookiah,  who  came  to  New 
Haven,  Conn.,  on  an  American  vessel  in  1809.  Obookiah 
was  found  one  morning  on  the  steps  of  one  of  the  college 
buildings,  weeping  because  he  could  not  obtain  an  educa- 
tion. The  Rev.  E.  W.  Dwight,  who  found  him,  took  pity 
on  him  and  began  his  instruction.  Soon  it  was  found 
that  other  Hawaiian  3'ouths  had  drifted  to  this  country, 
as  vi'ell  as  a  few  from  other  heathen  nations,  and  it  was 
determined  to  found  a  school  for  their  education  at  Corn- 
w^all.  Conn.  Five  of  the  earliest  pupils  here  were  from  the 
Sandwich  Islands. 

The  American  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  which  was 
formed  in  1810,  came  to  the  decision  of  sending  a  mission 
to  the  Sandwich  Islands.  Obookiah  was  a  promising 
young  convert  and  was  to  be  a  great  help  in  that  enter- 
prise, but  in  Februar^^  1818,  he  was  suddenl}^  taken  ill  of 
a  fever,  which  proved  fatal.  His  life  and  early  death 
were,  however,  the  means  of  arousing  a  very  great  inter- 
est in  his  home  and  countrymen,  for  his  story  was  writ- 
ten, published  and  circulated  all  through  the  country,  and 
old  and  young  in  many  a  home  perused  v\rith  interest  the 
history  of  this  dark-skinned  youth  from  the  far  islands  of 
the  sea.  Having  determined  on  the  Sandwich  Island  mis- 
sion, the  American  Board  requested  the  faculty  of  Ando- 
ver  Theological  seminary  to  recommend  two  3'^oung  men 
as  missionaries,  and  they  responded  h\  selecting  Asa 
Thurston  and  his  classmate,  Hiram  Bingham. 

Ten  3'ears  have  now  elapsed   since  Asa  Thurston  dedi- 


Asa   Thurston,  the  Pioneer  Missionary.  51 

cated  his  life  to  the  service  of  God,  and  now  he  stands  on 
the  threshold  of  his  life  work — a  work  which  is  to  sunder 
all  his  home  ties,  and  sever  him  from  his  country  and  his 
friends.  It  must  be  remembered  that  there  were  then  no 
steamships,  no  telegraphs,  no  railroads,  and  that  to  go  as 
a  missionary  was  almost  to  cut  loose  from  the  civilized 
world.  He  is  to  enter  upon  the  gigantic  task  of  raising 
a  people  from  ignorance  and  barbarism  to  Christianity 
and  civilization.  There  is  not  an  item  of  evidence  that  he 
ever  faltered  in  his  determination,  but  his  bearing  was 
that  of  uniform  courage  and  cheerfulness  during  all  the 
scenes  preceding  his  departure. 

It  was  now  September,  1819,  and  the  Sandwich  Island 
mission  was  to  sail  in  October.  Neither  Mr.  Thurston 
nor  Mr.  Bingham  were  married,  but  it  was  deemed  essen- 
tial that  the\^  should  be.  Mr.  Thurston  was,  however, 
engaged  to  a  A^oung  lady  and  she  was  willing  to  go  with 
him,  but  finally  yielded  to  her  mother's  insistence  and 
declined.  He  must  give  her  up  or  the  mission,  and  he 
chose  as  he  believed  God  w^ould  choose  for  him.  The 
young  lady  died  soon  after  of  a  broken  heart,  and  the 
mother,  grieved  and  disappointed,  soon  followed  her.  But 
if  Mr.  Thurston  was  to  have  a  wife  to  go  with  him,  no 
time  was  to  be  lost.  A  competent  and  courageous  woman 
must  be  found  who  would  cast  in  her  lot  with  his,  and 
his  friends  rallied  to  meet  the  emergency.  The  names  of 
two  young  ladies  were  proposed.  One  of  them  was  asked 
and  promptly  declined ;  the  other  was  his  future  wife, 
Miss  Lucy  Goodale,  daughter  of  Abner  Goodale  of  Marl- 
borough, Mass. 

Miss  Goodale  was  teaching  school  in  Marlborough. 
On  September  17,  at  her  noon  intermission,  she  was  called 
upon  by  her  cousin,  William  Goodell,  then  a  student  at 
Andover,  and  afterwards  a  missionary  in  Turkey.  They 
were  intimately  acquainted.     He  had   often  spoken  to  her 


62  Asa   TJiurston,  tJie  Pioneer  Missionary. 

of  missionary  work,  and  now  he  told  her  of  the  mission 
which  was  about  to  start  for  the  Sandwich  Islands,  and 
asked  her  if  she  was  willing  to  become  the  wife  of  a 
stranger  and  attach  herself  to  that  little  missionary  band. 
She  finally  consented  to  see  Mr.  Thurston  on  the  evening 
of  September  23,  at  the  house  of  her  father.  Meanwhile 
a  momentous  decision  must  be  made,  and  her  family  de- 
clined to  influence  her,  leaving  it  entirely  with  herself. 
When  Mr.  Thurston  called  she  met  him  as  a  friend,  and 
the  next  day  promised  to  become  his  wife.  A  famil}-  coun- 
cil was  held,  and  the  12th  of  October  was  fixed  as  the 
wedding  day.  Letters  were  written,  notices  given  to  the 
town  clerks  of  Marlborough  and  Fitchburg,  and  all  ar- 
rangements made  before  evening.  The  next  day  Mr. 
Thurston  started  for  Goshen,  Conn.,  where  he  was  to  be 
ordained.  It  was  at  this  ordination  that  Mr.  Bingham 
found  his  wife.  He  met  her  on  the  way  to  church,  to 
which  she  inquired  of  him  the  way.  On  a  slight  acquaint- 
ance he  proposed  and  was  accepted. 

The  marriage  of  Asa  Thurston  took  place  as  arranged 
on  Tuesday,  October  12,  and  proved  a  fortunate  and 
happ3^  event.  Mrs.  Thurston  thus  writes  on  the  following 
March,  having  just  arrived  at  the  Islands:  "When  I  gave 
my  hand  to  Mr.  Thurston,  and  came  out  from  my  father's 
home  to  go  far  away  to  a  land  unknown,  I  felt  assured 
of  the  care  and  friendship  of  one  precious  friend.  But  my 
expectations  have  been  more  than  realized.  To  be  con- 
nected with  such  a  husband,  and  engaged  in  such  an 
object,  in  the  present  state  of  the  world,  is  of  all  situa- 
tions in  life  what  I  choose."  Again,  later  in  life,  having 
just  returned  from  a  visit  to  this  country,  she  writes  thus 
to  her  daughter.  "Thirty-two  years  ago,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-four.  I  first  passed  this  way.  Then  by  my  side 
I  had  my  only  earthly  stay,  my  new  found  husband,  a 
strong  support,  firm  in  principle,  fixed  in  purpose,  refined 
in  feeling,  and  faithful  in  love." 


MRS.   LUCY    THURSTON. 


Asa    Thurston,  the  Pioneer  Missionary.  53 

Mr.  Thurston  came  to  his  home  in  Fitchburg  for  a 
farewell  visit.  He  could  stay  but  a  short  time,  and  his 
friends  and  relatives  hardl3^  expected  to  see  him  again. 
He  preached  on  Sunday  for  the  Rev.  Mr.  Eaton,  in  the  old 
church  on  the  common,  to  a  crowded  house,  from  John  x. 
16:  "And  other  sheep  have  I  which  are  not  of  this  fold: 
them  also  I  must  bring,  and  they  shall  hear  my  voice,  and 
there  shall  be  one  fold  and  one  shepherd."  The  musical 
talent  of  the  father  ran  through  the  family.  In  the  choir 
were  two  brothers  and  two  sisters, — Ebenezer,  Cyrus,  Syl- 
vania  and  Mahala. 

That  day,  in  this  little  country  town  of  Fitchburg, 
many  prayers  were  being  offered  for  the  welfare  and  suc- 
cess of  that  brave  young  man,  and  for  the  success  of  his 
mission  to  an  idolatrous  and  degraded  people,  while  at 
that  very  time  that  same  people,  of  their  own  volition, 
were  casting  down  and  destroying  their  idols  and  abolish- 
ing their  priesthood — thus  preparing  the  way  for  the  mis- 
sion of  Christianity. 

There  was  a  gathering  of  friends  and  neighl^ors  on  the 
morning  of  the  final  departure  of  Mr.  Thurston  from 
Fitchburg.  It  was  an  unwonted  scene  at  that  little  home- 
stead on  the  hill.  There  were  leave  takings  and  farewells, 
tears  were  shed,  and  silent  prayers  were  offered.  At  last 
he  turned  to  go.  As  he  mounted  his  horse  he  saw  before 
him  for  the  last  time  the  old  familiar  landscape,  the  well- 
known  hills  and  miles  of  forest,  just  beginning  to  flame 
with  the  tints  of  autumn.  In  a  few  moments  he  was  to 
leave  behind  him  the  home  of  his  childhood,  which  his 
eyes  were  nevermore  to  behold.  Nevermore  was  a  New 
England  autumn  scene  to  gladden  his  eyes ;  but  he  pressed 
onward,  his  face  toward  the  light  and  the  future. 

October  15,  1819,  a  District  Missionary  church  was 
formed  in  the  vestry  of  Park  Street  church,  Boston,  which 
church    was    to  go  in  a  body  to  the    Sandwich    Islands, 


64  Asa   Thurston,  the  Pioneer  Missionary. 

under  the  auspices  of  the  American  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions. Its  members  were  Mr.  Thurston  and  wife,  Hiram 
Bingham  and  wife,  Thomas  Holman,  a  physician,  Samuel 
Whitney  and  Samuel  Ruggles,  teachers,  Elisha  Loomis, 
printer,  Daniel  Chamberlain,  farmer,  and  their  wives.  Also 
Thomas  Hopu,  William  Kanui,  and  John  Honulii,  three 
Hawaiian  3^oung  men  from  the  Cornwall  school.  That 
same  evening  there  was  a  large  gathering  in  the  body  of 
the  church  to  listen  to  a  sermon  from  Mr.  Bingham,  and 
to  the  public  instructions  of  the  Prudential  Committee  of 
the  Board,  given  by  the  Rev.  Samuel  Worcester,  who  for 
five  years,  from  1797  to  1802,  had  been  pastor  of  the 
church  in  Fitchburg,  and  who  had  often  seen  Asa  Thurs- 
ton,— a  blue-eyed,  roguish  boy,  in  the  family  pew.  Dr. 
Worcester  spoke  in  part  as  follows : 

Dearly  beloved  of  the  Lord:  You  are  now  on  the  point,  the  most 
of  you,  of  leaving  3^our  country  and  your  kindred  and  your  fathers' 
houses,  and  committing  yourselves,  under  Providence,  to  the  winds  and 
the  waves,  for  conveyance  to  the  far  distant  islands  of  the  sea,  there  to 
spend  the  remainder  of  your  days. 

You  have  given  yourselves  to  Christ  for  the  high  and  holy  service  of 
missionary  work.  You  have  made  your  vows  and  you  cannot  go  back. 
If  it  be  not  so,  if  this  point  be  not  fixed  in  you  immovable,  stop  where 
you  are,  nor  venture  to  set  foot  on  board  that  vessel  which  is  to  bear  this 
holy  mission  to  the  scene  of  its  labors  and  trials  and  eventual  triumphs. 

Y'^ou  are  to  aim  at  nothing  short  of  covering  those  islands  with  fruit- 
ful fields,  pleasant  dwellings,  schools  and  churches. 

Mr.  Bingham  and  Mr.  Thurston :  To  you  jointly  is  committed  this 
consecrated  mission,  proceeding  from  the  bosom  of  Christian  and  heav- 
enly love. 

Beloved  members  of  the  mission,  male  and  female,  the  Christian  com- 
munity is  moved  for  you  and  for  your  enterprise.  The  offerings,  the 
prayers  and  tears  and  benedictions  and  vows  of  the  churches  are  befoi-e 
the  throne  of  everlasting  mercy.  They  must  not  be  violated ;  they  must 
not,  cannot  be  lost.  But  how  can  you  sustain  the  responsibility  ?  A 
nation  to  be  enlightened  and  renovated,  and  added  to  the  civilized  world 
and  to  the  kingdom  of  the  world's  Redeemer  and  rightful  sovereign.  In 
His  name  onh-  and  by  His  power  can  the  enterprise  be  achieved. 


Asa   TJmrstoti,  the  Pioneer  Missionary.  55 

The  next  morning,  Saturday,  October  16,  at  10  o'clock, 
Mr.  Thurston  delivered  a  farewell  address  in  the  same 
church  to  a  large  congregation  of  friends  of  missions  from 
Yarious  parts  of  New  England.  A  portion  of  his  words 
wefe  as  follows : 

"  Permit  me,  my  dear  friends,  to  express  the  sentiments  and  feelings  of 
•the  "rhissionary  company  on  the  present  occasion.  We  would  express  our 
gratitude  to  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  for  the  provision  he  has 
made  for  the  souls  of  men,  and  for  the  evidence  which  he  graciously 
gives  us  that  are  severally  interested  in  this  great  salvation.  We  bless 
God  that  we  live  in  this  interesting  period  of  the  world— that  so  much 
is  done  and  so  much  is  still  doing  to  extend  the  blessings  of  the  Re- 
deemer's kingdom  to  the  ends  of  the  earth. 

The  present  is  emphatically  styled  a  day  of  action.  The  church  is 
opening  her  eyes  on  the  mission  of  a  world  lying  in  wickedness.  Her 
compassion  is  moved  and  her  benevolence  excited  to  alleviate  human 
suflFering  and  to  save  the  soul  from  death. 

We  have  felt  that  the  Saviour  was  speaking  to  us,  and  our  bosoms 
have  panted  for  the  privilege  of  engaging  in  the  blessed  work  of  evan- 
gelizing the  heathen.  We  have  voluntarily^  devoted  ourselves  to  this 
great  object  and  have  been  set  apart  to  go  forth  and  labor  for  its 
accomplishment.  In  a  few  days  we  expect  to  leave  this  loved  land  of 
our  nativity  for  the  distant  isles  of  the  sea,  there  to  plant  this  little 
vine  and  nourish  it,  till  it  shall  extend  through  all  the  islands,  till  it 
shall  shoot  its  branches  across  to  the  American  coast,  and  its  precious 
fruit  shall  be  gathered  at  the  foot  of  her  mountains. 

The  few  days  now  remaining  before  embtirkation  were 
spent  in  preparation.  They  were  to  sail  October  23  in  the 
brig  Thaddeus,  Capt.  Blanchard,  with  a  cargo  of  general 
merchandise,  agricultural  implements,  etc.  On  that  day 
there  were  assembled  on  the  wharf  a  large  gathering  of 
friends,  A  short  service  was  held,  the  choir  sang  "Blest 
be  the  tie  that  binds,"  and  Messrs.  Bingham  and  Thurs- 
ton, assisted  by  an  intimate  friend,  sang  "  When  shall  we 
all  meet  again?"  in  a  most  affecting  manner.  A  fourteen- 
oared  barge,  manned  and  officered  from  the  frigate  Inde- 
pendence, took   them  to  the  ship.     Her  sails  slowly   filled, 


56  Asa   ThtirstoH,  the  Pioneer  Missiotmry. 

and  amid  the  waving  of  handkerchiefs  and  many  farewells 
she  swung  around  and  dropped  down  to  the  lower  har- 
bor for  the  night. 

And  now,  at  last,  they  have  really  left  their  homes 
and  friends.  The  excitement  of  preparation,  of  public 
exercises,  of  partings  and  farewells,  is  over,  and  in  their 
narrow  quarters,  amid  bales  and  boxes,  ropes  and  tackle, 
barrels  and  hogsheads,  dogs,  cats,  hens,  ducks,  pigs  and 
seasickness,  they  begin  their  vo^^age  of  more  than  five 
months'  duration.  The  vessel  encountered  head  winds 
and  storm  and  made  slow  progress.  Fifty  days  out  they 
spoke  an  East  India  merchantman  and  sent  letters  home. 
Ninety -four  da3^s  out  the3'^  came  in  sight  of  the  island  of 
Terra  del  Fuego,  and  even  that  barren  land  rejoiced  their 
hearts,  while  the  exceeding^  difficult  and  stormy  passage 
around  Cape  Horn  cut  their  happiness  short.  At  length 
they  entered  the  calmer  waters  of  the  Pacific  and  sailed 
on  day  after  day  with  little  to  vary  the  monotony  of 
the  voyage.  Mr.  Whitney  was  employing  himself  in  paint- 
ing the  outside  of  the  vessel  from  a  swinging  platform. 
The  ship  was  ploughing  on  at  full  sail,  when  she  gave  a 
lurch,  and  he  fell  into  the  sea.  A  bench  was  thrown  him, 
to  which  he  clung  till  a  boat  could  reach  him.  One  day 
the  ship  lay  becalmed  and  Mr.  Thurston  and  Mr.  Bing- 
ham and  two  of  the  native  youths  went  into  the  water 
for  a  swim.  But  a  very  short  time  after,  a  shark  was 
discoverd,  and  George  Tamoree  and  one  of  the  officers 
succeeded  in  vSnaring  him  and  taking  him  alive.  In  these 
incidents  they  were  reminded  of  the  good  providence  of 
God. 

At  length,  on  March  30,  1820,  the  island  of  Hawaii 
could  be  seen  from  the  deck,  and  every  one  was  delighted. 
The  native  youths  especially  were  excited  so  that  they 
could  hardly  eat  or  sleep.  It  was  still  some  days  before 
they  could   reach  their  destination   on  the  western  side  of 


Asa   Thurston,  the  Pioneer  Missionary.  57 

the  island.  However,  the  captain  sent  a  boat  ashore  with 
an  officer  and  two  of  the  natives,  Hopu  and  Honulii,  for 
news.  It  was  not  long  before  they  returned  with  the 
startling  intelligence:  "The  tabus  are  broken,  the  idols 
are  burnt,  the  temples  destroyed,  and  the  priesthood 
abolished."  We  can  hardly  realize  the  amazement  with 
which  this  news  was  received,  news  which  was  so  vital 
and  opportune  to  the  mission,  and  which  opened  the  way 
in  such  a  marvelous  manner  for  the  introduction  of 
Christianity. 

It  is  needful  for  us  to  give  here  in  outline  the  manner 
and  occasion  of  this  great  revolution.  The  cluster  of 
eight  islands,  known  as  the  Hawaiian  group,  is  of  volcanic 
origin,  and  in  a  general  way  the  fertile  and  easily  culti- 
vated portions  are  near  the  coast,  while  the  interior  is 
mountainous  and  sometimes  almost  inaccessible.  The 
islands  extend  from  northeast  to  southwest,  about  380 
miles,  and  are  separated  by  channels  varying  in  width 
from  six  to  sixty  miles.  The  Hawaiian  race  is  undoubt- 
edly of  Malay  origin,  and  drifted  to  these  islands  from 
the  west.  The  people  were  naturally  of  a  kindly  and  hos- 
pitable nature  and  were  never  cannibals,  but  like  all  sav- 
ages they  were  easily  roused  to  violence  and  revenge. 
The  chiefs  were  much  superior  to  the  common  people  in 
physical  and  mental  ability,  and  were  truly  a  royal  race. 
However,  the  opening  of  the  nineteenth  century  found 
these  people  degenerating  in  many  ways.  Their  contact 
with  civilization  had  so  far  been  productive  of  more  evil 
than  good,  and  intemperance  and  licentiousness  had  a 
firm  and  fast  hold  upon  them. 

At  the  period  of  which  we  write,  Kamehameha,  their 
greatest  king  for  a  long  time,  or  perhaps  of  any  time,  had 
just  died.  He  had  proved  himself  an  enterprising,  firm  and 
indomitable  heathen  ruler,  and  after  many  battles  had  suc- 
ceeded in  uniting  all  the  islands  under  his  rule,  although 


58  Asa   Thurston^  the  Pioneer  Missionary. 

some  of  the  kings,  the  principal  of  whom  was  Kaumualii, 
the  father  of  George  Tamoree,  were  allow^ed  a  nominal 
sovereignty  during  their  lives.  He  had  strengthened  him- 
self by  a  strong  alliance  with  the  priesthood,  and  was 
very  particular  that  his  subjects  should  rigidly  obey  all 
the  rules  and  customs  enjoined  by  them  in  the  name  of 
religion.  Fear  and  superstition  were  of  course  the  basis 
on  which  their  whole  system  of  religion  was  founded,  and 
for  the  purpose  of  increasing  their  power  they  had  carried 
the  system  of  "tabus"  to  great  length.  These  tabus  w^ere 
a  system  of  prohibition  or  arbitrary  rules,  the  neglect  or 
disobedience  of  which  were  punished  with  death.  If  a 
woman  ate  a  banana  or  tasted  of  pork,  death  was  the 
consequence.  It  was  death  for  a  man  and  woman  to  eat 
together.  Sometimes  the  priests  gave  out  the  law  that  no 
one  should  speak  for  a  certain  time,  and  silence  reigned  in 
a  village ;  not  even  a  dog  was  allowed  to  bark.  These 
arbitrary  prohibitions  became  very  galling  and  irksome, 
even  to  the  chiefs,  and  contact  with  white  men  made  them 
less  superstitious,  so  that  on  the  death  of  Kamehameha 
there  was  a  reaction  against  them,  the  high  priest  himself 
assisting.  The  scale  was,  however,  turned  by  Kaahumanu, 
one  of  the  widows  of  the  old  king,  who  was  associated 
with  the  new  king  in  the  government.  She  wras  an  able, 
ambitious  woman,  determined  to  crush  the  priesthood, 
and  she  succeeded  in  inducing  the  king  to  eat  with  his 
v^ives.  This  was  the  signal  for  the  wholesale  destruction 
of  idols  and  temples,  and  a  heathen  people  was  left  with- 
out a  religion.  The  practical  result  was  that  the  men  and 
women  now  ate  together,  drank  together,  and  smoked  the 
same  pipe.  This  radical'  and  unexpected  course  of  the 
government  was  the  cause  of  a  rebellion,  which  was  in- 
cited by  the  priests.  It,  however,  proved  unsuccessful,  and 
the  new  order  of  things  was  firmly  established  when  the 
missionaries    arrived.     The    high    priest,   Hemahewa,   who 


Asa   Thurston,  the  Pioneer  Missionary.  69 

was  prominent  in  this  anti-heathen  movement,  said:  "I 
knew  that  the  wooden  images  of  deities,  carved  b3''  our 
own  hands,  could  not  supply  our  wants,  but  worshipped 
them  because  it  was  a  custom  of  our  fathers.  They  made 
not  the  kalo  to  grow,  nor  sent  us  rain ;  neither  did  they 
bestow  life  or  health.  My  thought  has  always  been, 
There  is  only  one  great  God,  dwelling  in  the  heavens." 
He  cordiall)"  \velcomed  his  "brother  priests,"  as  he  called 
the  missionaries. 

If  there  had  been  any  doubtful  or  discouraged  ones 
among  the  little  mission  church  (and  if  there  were  any 
such  we  are  sure  Asa  Thurston  was  not  of  the  number), 
surely  they  must  now  have  become  hopeful  and  courageous, 
for  the  field  was,  indeed,  "ripe  for  the  harvest."  No  won- 
der that,  as  they  sailed  along  the  shore  of  Hawaii  with 
the  soft  light  of  the  moon  flooding  the  deck,  amid  the 
quiet  of  a  beautiful  tropical  evening,  their  feelings  uttered 
themselves  in  music,  and  Messrs.  Bingham  and  Thurs- 
ton sang  their  favorite  hymn,  the  hymn  sung  at  the  fare- 
well service  in  Park  Street  church,  "Head  of  the  church 
triumphant." 

On  the  morning  of  Tuesday,  April  4,  163  days  out 
from  Boston,  they  dropped  anchor  before  the  village  of 
Kailua,  the  seat  of  the  roj^al  government.  Soon  after  Mr. 
Thurston,  Mr.  Bingham,  Capt.  Blanchard  and  Hopu  went 
ashore  for  an  interview  with  the  king.  They  stated  to 
him  their  object  in  coming,  and  asked  permission  to  land. 
The  king  took  the  matter  into  consideration,  and  even- 
tually the  mission£iries  were  given  permission  to  remain 
one  year  in  the  islands.  On  the  6th  the  king  came  on 
board  the  ship,  dressed  in  a  girdle,  a  silk  scarf,  a  gold 
chain,  and  some  yellow  feathers.  After  they  had  dined 
the  missionaries  and  the  royal  family  gathered  on  deck, 
and  hymns  were  sung,  George  Tcimoree  playing  the  bass 
viol.     It  was  considered  very  important  to  begin  the  Chris- 


60  Asi7    TJuirston,  the  Pioneer  Missionary. 

tian  instruction  of  the  royal  family,  and  Mr,  and  Mrs. 
Thurston,  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Holman  were  left  at  Kailua, 
while  the  others  went  to  different  stations  on  different 
islands. 

On  the  12th  they  landed  and  took  possession  of  the 
house  which  was  assigned  them  by  the  king.  It  was  the 
best  house  in  the  village  and  known  as  the  king's  palace, 
containing  two  doors,  one  two  and  one-half  feet  high  and 
the  other  a  foot  higher.  Here  they  began  their  labors 
with  the  royal  family,  who  were  eager  for  instruction, 
even  the  king  himself  showing  an  inclination  that  way. 
On  the  whole,  however,  he  preferred  that  his  little  brother, 
the  heir  to  the  throne,  and  some  of  his  favorite  compan- 
ions should  do  the  studying,  thinking  that  in  some  way 
he  could  absorb  it  from  them. 

Notwithstanding  the  friendliness  of  the  natives  and 
their  sincere  desire  to  learn,  there  were  many  things  to 
discourage  and  disgust  a  sensitive,  refined  nature.  Many 
things  the  missionaries  frowned  upon,  which  the  people 
could  not  understand.  They  believed  the  onlj^  use  of 
clothing  to  be  ornament.  If  one  of  the  queens  wished  to 
dress  in  state  she  would  lie  down  and  roll  herself  up  in  a 
dozen  or  twenty  yards  of  cloth,  make  a  call  on  the  mis- 
sionaries, and  as  soon  as  it  became  uncomfortable,  lie 
down  and  roll  herself  out  of  it.  A  chief  would  be  remon- 
strated with  for  his  scant  apparel,  and  the  next  time  he 
called  he  would  show  that  he  had  heeded  the  advice  by 
adding  a  stovepipe  hat  or  a  pair  of  stockings  to  his  toi- 
let. The  natives  all  lived  on  dirt  floors  and  had  not 
much  appreciation  of  cleanliness,  though  this  was  less 
objectionable  on  account  of  their  passion  for  bathing,  and 
they  had  but  little  clothing  to  keep  clean. 

Mr.  Thurston  and  his  wife  had  been  at  Kailua  but  a 
short  time  before  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Holman,  who  were  left 
there  with  them,  indicated  a  desire  to  give  up  their  work. 


Asa    Thurston,  the  Pio7icer  Missionary.  61 

This  was  a  great  trial,  as  it  would  leave  them  alone  on 
the  island,  and  they  were  obliged  to  face  the  question  of 
going  on  with  their  work  alone,  apart  from  their  friends, 
or  of  giving  up  the  task  which  they  had  undertaken  of 
pressing  home  upon  the  royal  family  the  truth  of  Chris- 
tianitj'.  Now  was  a  test  of  character  and  true-hearted 
devotion.  It  showed  at  the  outset  the  stuff  of  which  Mr. 
Thurston  was  made,  for  the  decision  \vas  to  remain  and 
stand  by  the  citadel,  for,  indeed,  here  was  the  key  to  suc- 
cess. The  natives  themselves  said,  "If  the  king  is  good 
we  will  be  good,  but  if  the  king  is  bad  we  will  be  bad." 

Mr.  Thurston  could  not  remain  the  whole  time  with 
his  wife  at  home.  One  da3^  in  his  absence  a  priest  of  the 
old  religion  entered  their  dwelling,  and  the  few  natives 
who  were  there  immediately  fled.  The  priest  advanced 
towards  Mrs.  Thurston  with  evil  intent.  She  struck  his 
arm  sharply  with  a  stick  which  she  had  secured,  and  as 
he  involuntarily  drew  back  for  a  moment  she  slipped  past 
him  and  ran  through  the  village  toward  the  school  where 
Mr.  Thurston  was  teaching.  She  met  him  coming  toward 
her,  for  some  of  the  natives  had  informed  him  of  her  dan- 
ger. The\''  returned  to  their  home,  and  many  of  their 
scholars  and  attendants  followed.  The  priest,  whose  sta- 
tion had  formerly  been  high,  and  who  was  still  feared  by 
the  people,  again  made  his  appearance.  He  refused  to 
leave  till  Mr.  Thurston  quietl}--  walked  him  off  the  prem- 
ises, for  no  native  could  resist  the  strong  arm  of  the  ath- 
letic New  Englander.  The  king  would  have  had  the 
offender  put  to  death,  but  Mr.  Thurston  restrained  him. 
So  far  as  is  know^n  this  is  the  only  time  that  a  missionary 
lady  received  an  insult  from  a  Hawaiian,  and  this  priest 
himself,  in  later  years,  is  said  to  have  expressed  regret  for 
the  act,  and  professed  to  have  embraced  Christianity. 

For  about  seven  months  they  continued  to  preach  and 
teach  in   Kailua,  but  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1820 


62  Asa   Thurston,  the  Pioneer  Missionary. 

the  king  removed  to  Honolulu  with  his  court,  and  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Thurston  went  with  him,  remaining  there  for 
three  years,  pursuing  the  work  so  well  begun  at  Kailua. 
The  translation  of  the  Bible  was  begun,  and  a  Hawaiian 
spelling  book  was  printed,  of  which  the  king  took  one 
hundred  copies.  An  alphabet  of  twelve  letters  w^as  fixed 
upon,  which  would  express  all  the  necessary  sounds  in  the 
language.  In  the  translation  of  the  Bible,  which  was  par- 
ticipated in  by  a  number  of  the  missionaries,  Mr.  Thurs- 
ton translated  Genesis,  Numbers,  Deuteronomy,  the  whole 
of  Samuel,  and  the  second  of  Kings,  the  gospel  of  John, 
and  a  portion  of  Matthew. 

In  1823  they  returned  to  Kailua  in  a  native  vessel. 
Two  of  the  principal  chiefs  were  on  board,  and  they  usu- 
ally dined  with  them.  Some  things  were  served  in  a  very 
stylish  manner;  for  instance,  the  half-clad  native  servant 
would  wipe  out  a  bowl  wnth  a  part  of  his  only  garment, 
pour  in  some  tea,  ladle  in  a  quantity  of  sugar,  crumb  in 
some  sea  bread  with  his  teeth,  and  present  to  the  guests, 
who,  for  conscience  sake,  could  not  refuse  it.  They  re- 
turned with  two  children,  both  having  been  born  at 
Honolulu. 

The  seed  sown  at  Kailua  had  brought  forth  fruit  in 
their  absence.  Soon  after  their  return  Mr.  Thurston  dedi- 
cated a  church,  which  had  just  been  completed.  It  w^as  a 
building  60x30,  built  within  the  ruins  of  a  heathen  temple. 
He  read  a  portion  of  Solomon's  prayer  at  the  dedication 
of  his  temple.  Then  the  people  sang  the  jubilee  hymn, 
"Blow  yc  the  trumpet,"  after  which  he  preached  a  ser- 
mon from  Haggai  i.  7,  8,  "Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts, 
consider  your  ways.  Go  up  to  the  mountains  and  bring 
wood  and  build  the  house,  saith  the  Lord."  Nothing 
could  have  been  more  appropriate,  for  all  the  timbers  for 
the  church  had  been  brought  some  distance  from  the 
mountains.     In  this  church  the  usual  attendance  was  from 


Asa    Thurston^  the  Pioneer  Missionary.  63 

six  hundred  to  one  thousand.  The  native  governor  en- 
acted a  law  that  after  two  years  no  woman  could  enter 
the  church  without  a  bonnet. 

In  a  letter  to  the  American  Board,  dated  November  24, 
1823,  Mr.  Thurston  says:  "Thus  have  I  again  been  called 
to  return  and  sit  down  upon  this  barren  spot,  where  I 
labored  and  where  I  wept.  But  with  all  its  rudeness  and 
barrenness  it  is  a  most  interesting  field  for  missionary  ex- 
ertion. Within  thirty  miles  of  this  place  there  are  not  less 
than  twent}^  thousand  inhabitants,  who  lie  scattered  in 
villages.  In  this  village  there  are  three  thousand.  This 
place  is  the  permanent  residence  of  the  governor."  He 
concludes  his  letter  as  follows:  "On  this  important,  long 
neglected  island  two  standards  of  the  cross  are  now 
erected,  and  throughout  its  borders  the  gospel  trumpet 
has  been  blown.  With  my  associates  I  travelled  and 
searched  out  the  land.  These  eyes  beheld  the  miseries  of 
the  people.  As  we  passed  from  place  to  place  we  told 
within  the  cottage,  beneath  the  shade  of  the  tree  and  by 
the  wayside,  of  a  God  and  of  a  Savior." 

Mr.  Thurston  here  alludes  to  a  tour  around  the  island 
of  Hawaii,  w^hich  he  took  with  the  Rev.  William  Ellis,  an 
English  missionary,  and  some  others  in  the  earlier  part  of 
the  year.  Mr.  Ellis  published  a  little  book  giving  an 
account  of  this  journe3^  and  running  through  it,  from 
beginning  to  end,  are  these  words  often  occurring:  "Mr. 
Thurston  preached  to  the  natives."  It  seems  as  though 
he  w^as  their  main  stay  for  that  work.  In  1839  Mr. 
Thurston  made  another  tour  around  the  island  with  his 
family. 

One  of  the  severest  trials  of  the  earh'  missionaries 
was  the  difficulty  of  bringing  up  their  children.  They 
could  not  let  their  children  associate  with  the  natives  nor 
learn  their  language.  Soon  after  returning  to  Kailua  they 
enclosed  five  acres  of  land  with  a  wall  six  feet  high,  and 


64  Asa   Thurston,  the  Pioneer  Missionary. 

in  this  enclosure  built  a  house  and  some  outbuildings. 
The  natives  were  only  allowed  access  to  the  front  of  the 
house,  which  was  used  as  a  study  and  reception  room  by 
Mr.  Thurston.  Most  of  the  missionaries  sent  their  chil- 
dren to  the  United  States  as  soon  as  they  were  old  enough 
to  be  educated,  but  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thurston  kept  their 
children  with  them  till  the  oldest  had  nearly  reached  ma- 
turity. 

In  October,  1830,  Mrs.  Thurston  writes  thus  of  their 
daily  life:  "Mr.  Thurston  is  entirely  devoted  to  works  of 
a  public  nature.  My  duties  are  of  a  more  private  char- 
acter. I  am  the  housekeeper,  the  mother  and  domestic 
teacher.  What  time  I  can  redeem  from  familj^  cares  I  give 
to  our  native  females.  Twenty-six  hundred  have  been 
gathered  into  our  Friday  meetings.  This  society  is  in  a 
very  flourishing  state.  As  I  cannot  see  them  all  at  our 
house  I  teach  them  by  proxy,  selecting  from  the  most 
intelligent  ones  a  class  of  teachers  to  come  under  my 
instructions.  When  night  closes  upon  me  and  there  is  a 
suspension  of  maternal  and  domestic  duties,  I  take  my 
chosen  season  to  meet  the  natives." 

Thus,  in  a  general  way  their  time  passed,  with  the 
variation  of  a  ^^early  trip  to  the  general  meeting  of  the 
mission  at  Honolulu,  until  August,  1840,  when  Mrs. 
Thurston  took  her  children  and  sailed  for  New  York, 
where  she  arrived  six  months  later.  During  her  stay  in 
this  country  she  came  to  Fitchburg  and  was  interested  to 
visit  the  old  Thurston  homestead  and  see  the  room  where 
Mr.  Thurston  was  born.  She  had  with  her  some  interest- 
ing curiosities  from  the  Islands  and  exhibited  them  at  a 
meeting  of  the  Ladies'  Home  Missionary  Society  of  the 
C.  C.  church,  which  she  addressed.  This  society  made 
Mr.  Thurston  a  present  of  a  suit  of  clothes,  for  which 
Dr.  Jonas  A.  Marshall  was  measured. 


Asa   Thurston,  the  Pioneer  Missionary.  66 

Mrs.  Thurston's  stay  of  two  3'ears  in  the  United 
States  was  saddened  by  the  death  of  her  daughter  Lucy, 
who  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  February  24,  1841,  at  the 
age  of  seventeen  years.  She  died  at  the  home  of  Mr.  A.  P. 
Cummings,  editor  of  the  New  York  Observer,  and  an  inter- 
esting Httle  book  relating  the  story  of  her  life  was  written 
by  Mrs.  Cummings,  under  the  title  of  "The  Missionary's 
Daughter."  She  was  a  lovely  and  interesting  girl,  and  a 
great  favorite  with  everj'  one  who  knew  her.  Mrs.  Thurs- 
ton left  two  children  to  be  educated  in  this  countrj^  when 
she  started  on  her  return  October  24,  1842.  She  was 
received  with  joy  by  her  husband  and  the  natives,  and 
found  a  church  of  eighteen  hundred  members — three  times 
as  many  as  when  she  w^ent  away. 

The  Sandwich  Island  mission  of  the  American  Board 
was  by  this  time  an  assured  success,  and  to  that  end  Asa 
Thurston  had  contributed  years  of  steady  and  unfaltering 
labor.  To  him  and  to  his  associate,  Mr.  Bingham,  was 
largely  due  the  great  advance  in  Christianity  and  civiliza- 
tion which  had  taken  place  in  the  islands.  Mr.  Bingham, 
who  Was  located  at  Honolulu,  the  principal  seaport  and 
commercial  center,  had  a  most  difficult  task  to  perform, 
as  he  had  to  deal  not  only  with  the  latent  barbarism  of 
the  natives,  but  also  with  that  of  a  certain  class  of  white 
men,  which  was  worse.  Much  credit  should  also  be  given 
the  other  missionaries,  especially  Rev.  Mr.  Ellis,  the  Eng- 
lish missionary,  who  joined  them  soon  after  their  arrival. 
In  1843  the  governments  of  the  United  States,  Great 
Britain,  and  France  gave  a  full  recognition  of  the  inde- 
pendence of  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  and  thus  was  consum- 
mated the  work  of  founding  an  independent  Christian  na- 
tion, where  twenty-three  years  before  was  only  savage 
darkness  and  barbarism.  King  Kamehameha  III.  was 
now  on  the  throne,  and  liberal  laws  were  enacted  and 
constitutional  safeguards  given  to  the  people. 


66  Asa   Thurston,  the  Pioneer  Missionary. 

The  address  of  King  Kamehameha  IV.,  at  his  inaugura- 
tion in  1854-,  well  sums  up  the  progress  which  had  then 
been  made  since  the  death  of  his  great-grandfather. 

With  the  accession  of  Kamehameha  II.  to  the  throne,  the  tabus 
were  broken,  the  wild  orgies  of  heathenism  were  abolished,  the  idols 
thrown  down,  and  in  their  place  was  set  up  the  worship  of  the  only 
living  and  true  God.  His  was  the  era  of  the  introduction  of  Christianity 
and  .all  its  peaceful  influences.  He  was  born  to  commence  the  great 
moral  revolution  which  was  begun  with  his  reign. 

The  age  of  Kamehameha  III.  was  one  of  progress  and  of  liberty,  of 
schools  and  of  civilization.  He  gave  us  a  civilization  and  fixed  laws ;  he 
secured  the  people  in  the  title  to  their  lands,  and  removed  the  last  chain 
of  oppression.  He  gave  them  a  voice  in  his  councils,  and  in  the  making 
of  the  laws  by  which  they  are  governed.  He  was  a  great  national  bene- 
factor, and  has  left  the  impress  of  his  mild  and  amiable  disposition  on 
the  age  for  which  he  was  born. 

The  annual  report  of  the  Sandwich  Island  mission  to 
the  American  Board  in  1857,  says,  after  recalling  the  for- 
mer degrading  heathenism: 

Our  towns  are  rising,  our  roads  are  improving,  agriculture  and  in- 
dustry are  assuming  increasing  importance.  Our  government,  in  its  leg- 
islative, executive  and  judiciary  departments,  has  acquired  organic  form, 
and  is  moving  on  in  the  discharge*  of  its  functions.  Our  schools  are  sus- 
tained. Our  islands  are  being  dotted  over  with  improved  church  edifices. 
Law  is  supreme,  order  prevails,  protection  of  all  human  rights  is  nearly 
complete,  there  is  little  complaining  or  suffering  in  the  land,  shocking 
crimes  are  rare,  and  it  may  be  doubted  whether  the  sun  shines  on  a 
more  peaceful  people. 

Mrs.  Thurston  made  a  second  visit  to  the  United 
States  in  1851,  and  made  a  short  visit  to  Fitchburg,  but 
her  husband  still  labored  on  at  Kailua.  After  forty  years 
of  missionary  work  he  was  stricken  with  paralysis,  and 
was  obliged  to  go  to  California  for  health  and  rest.  He 
was  there  in  1863,  but  soon  returned  to  Honolulu,  where 
he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life.  The  disease  made 
progress,  till  at  last  it  affected  his  brain.  At  times  he 
would    seem    to    behold  crowds  of  people,   and    pointing, 


Asa    TJiiirsto)i,  the  Pioneer  Missionary.  67 

would  exclaim,  "  Ke  Aupini,  Ke  Aupini,"  (the  kingdom, 
the  kingdom).  For  the  last  two  daj^s  of  his  life  he  could 
not  speak,  and  he  passed  quietly  away  on  the  eleventh 
day  of  March,  1868,  at  the  age  of  eighty  3'ears,— a  veteran 
in  the  service  of  the  Lord. 

I  cannot  do  better  than  to  give  a  portion  of  the  fu- 
neral address  of  the  Rev.  Eli  Corwin,  delivered  at  Hono- 
lulu, March  12,  1868.  The  text  was  Proverbs  xvi.  31: 
"The  hoary  head  is  a  crown  of  glor3%  if  it  be  found  in  the 
'W'-ay  of  righteousness." 

The  instructor  for  a  time  of  both  Kamehameha  II.  and  Kanielianieha 
III.,  his  influence  upon  the  conduct  and  disposition  of  especialh-  the  lat- 
ter must  have  been  ver3'  great,  at  a  period  of  Hawaiian  history  when 
it  was  most  important  to  secure  the  good  will  of  those  highest  in 
authority,  and  when  the  word  of  the  king  was  law  and  his  will  was 
absolute.  But,  as  is  ever  the  case  with  the  faithful  minister,  his  influ- 
ence was  greatest  and  his  usefulness  most  apparent  among  the  masses 
of  the  common  people.  Never  once  leaving  the  islands  for  fort3'  years, 
he  was  honored  of  natives  and  foreigners  alike  as  a  faithful,  patient, 
persistent  worker;  steadfast  and  abiding  in  one  stay  far  beyond  the 
ordinary  duration  of  missionary  lite.  Indeed,  I  know  not  that  in  the 
entire  history  of  missions  a  like  instance  is  recorded  of  one  remaining 
so  long  upon  the  field,  and  at  a  single  post,  during  the  lifetime  of  a 
generation,  without  revisiting  the  home  of  his  childhood  or  visiting  any 
other  land.  Only  when  advanced  age  and  repeated  strokes  of  paralysis 
had  rendered  him  incapable  of  service ;  only  when  his  strong  hand  lost 
its  cunning  and  his  tongue  had  begun  to  give  a  doubtful  utterance,  did 
he  consent  to  resign  his  pastorate  at  Kailua,  that  he  might  spend  the 
closing  years  of  his  life  in  this  citj'. 

Though  remarkably  taciturn  all  through  hfe,  yet  he  was  hardly  less 
remarkable  for  a  quiet  humor,  which  was  kept  in  subjection  to  his 
Christian  dignity,  while  it  did  much  to  make  him  agreeable  in  social  life 
and  to  make  him  buoyant  in  spirit  under  all  the  trials  of  missionary 
labor.  And  this  cheerful  temper  and  Christian  mirthfulness  character- 
ized him  to  the  last.  No  pleasantry  was  lost  upon  him,  even  when  his 
memory  of  the  past  seemed  a  blank  and  he  could  not  recognize  his 
famih'  or  his  friends. 

His  peculiarlj'   rich  and  well-trained   voice,  even   when  age  had   some 
what  shattered  it,  gave  forth  at  times  such   tones  as  made  it  a  feast  of 


68  Asa    ThurstoUy  the  Pioneer  Missionary. 

melody  to  my  ear  to  have  him  seated  for  years  close  to  my  right  hand 
in  the  sanctuarw  Neither  the  choir  nor  the  congregation  were  ever  dis- 
turbed by  his  singing  out  of  time  or  out  of  tune,  while  the  general  effect 
of  congregational  singing  was  greatly  improved  by  tha^  remarkable 
voice  of  manly  power,  yet  of  womanly  sweetness,  to  which  we  shall 
listen  in  the  service  of  song  nevermore. 

MfvS.  Thurston  lived  to  be  the  only  survivor  of  that 
first  missionary  band,  and  she  died  honored  and  beloved, 
surrounded  by  her  relatives  and  friends,  in  Honolulu,  Octo- 
ber 13,  1876.  I  cannot  refrain  from  giving  the  text  from 
which  was  preached  her  memorial  service,  at  the  Fort 
Street  church,  Honolulu,  October  22,  1876:  "And  Jesus 
answered  and  said.  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  There  is  no 
man  that  hath  left  house,  or  brethren,  or  sisters,  or  father, 
or  mother,  or  wife,  or  children,  or  lands,  for  my  sake,  and 
the  gospel's,  but  he  shall  receive  an  hundredfold  now  in 
this  time,  houses,  and  brethren,  and  sisters,  and  mothers, 
and  children,  and  lands,  with  persecutions;  and  in  the 
w^orld  to  come  eternal  life." 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thurston  had  five  children,  Persis,  Lucy, 
Asa,  Mary,  and  Thomas.  Persis  is  still  living  in  Honolulu, 
a  near  neighbor  to  Mr.  Hiram  Bingham,  the  son  of  Asa 
Thurston's  classmate.  Mr.  Lorrin  A.  Thurston,  ex-minister 
to  this  country  from  the  Hawaiian  republic,  is  the  son  of 
Asa,  Mr.  Thurston's  eldest  son. 

Asa  Thurston  was  of  the  finest  product  of  New  Eng- 
land Christianity.  Out  of  the  crucible  of  personal  religious 
struggle  he  emerged  strong,  devoted,  chivalrous,  and  with 
unchangeable  convictions.  In  his  work  at  Hawaii  he  goes 
about  with  a  smile  upon  his  lips  and  stern  duty  in  his 
heart.  At  the  general  mission  meeting  in  1845  he  confesses 
his  sins  and  deficiencies,  and  asks  forgiveness.  He  closes 
the  meeting  with  these  words :  "In  union  may  we  be  one; 
in  heart  and  action  one ;  then  shall  we  be  one  with  thee  in 
heaven."     He    stands    like  a  figure    of  bronze,   tall,   erect, 


Asa   Thurston,  the  PioJieer  Missionary.  69 

broad-chested,  athletic,  yet  kind  and  true.  Tenderly'  and 
unfalteringh'  he  ministers  to  the  savage,  the  degraded,  and 
the  ignorant,  till  hand  and  brain  fail  him,  and  the  good 
God  takes  him  home  to  rest  from  his  labors. 


Note. — In  1878,  Mr.  Edwin  A.  Harris  wrote  and  published  a  pam- 
phlet, entitled  "Asa  Thurston. — A  Hero  of  Fitchbur;.?,"  and  some  copies 
of  this  are  still  in  existence.  It  was  an  interesting,  trustworthy  and 
valuable  publication,  and  is  the  source  of  most  of  the  facts  which  can 
now  be  obtained  of  the  Fitchburg  life  of  Mr.  Thurston.  It  has  been  of 
much  value  to  me  in  m}'  attempt  to  give  in  this  paper  a  pen  picture  of 
the  life,  character  and  work  of  this  pioneer  missionary. 


THE  DIVISION  OF  WORCESTER  COUNTY 


BY    HENRY    A.    WILLIS. 


Read  at  a  Meeting  of  the  Society,  April  19,  1897. 


In  the  art  department  of  our  public  library  there 
hangs  a  frame  containing  a  copy  of  the  Massachusetts 
Gazette  and  Boston  News  Letter  of  date  of  August  13, 
1764.  This  paper  was  first  published  April  24,  1704,  and 
was  the  first  regular  newspaper  published  in  Boston.  It 
is  insignificant  in  size  and  general  appearance,  its  dimen- 
sions being  sixteen  by  twenty  inches,  but  it  is  a  very 
interesting  relic.  It  contains  several  quaint  and  curious 
advertisements  and  a  proclamation  by  Francis  Bernard, 
"Captain  General  and  Governor  in  Chief  of  the  Province 
of  Massachusetts  Ba3%"  relating  to  an  old  act  regulating 
trading  with  the  Indians.  Among  the  advertisements  is 
one  offering  for  sale  "a  stout  able  bodied  negro  man;" 
another  states  that  "a  good  price  will  be  paid  for  a  likely 
negro  boy  from  sixteen  to  twenty  years  of  age,"  by  Rich- 
ard Billings.  But  the  notice  which  particularly  arrested 
my  attention  on  a  recent  visit  was  the  following  petition, 
and  it  suggested  the  preparation  of  this  paper.  The  peti- 
tion, in  its  peculiar  composition  and  spelling,  is  a  curiosity, 
and  I  have  thought  it  worthy  of  being  copied  in  full.  It 
is  as  follows: 


Division  of  Worcester  County.  71 

PROVINCE  OF  THE  MASSACHUSETTS  BAY. 

To  His  Exellency  Francis  Bernard,  Efq ;— Captain-Gerneral  and  Governor 
in  Chief  in  and  over  His  MAJESTY'S  faid  Province;  and  to  the 
Honorable  His  Majefty's  Council,  and  Houfe  of  Representatives,  in 
General  Court  aflembled  at  Bofton,  December,  A.  D.  1763. 

The  Petition  of  the  Subfcribers,  Agents  for  the  feveral  Towns  and 
Diftricts,  viz:  of  Groton,  and  Diftrict  of  Shirle}',  and  Pepperell,  as  alio 
the  Towns  of  Weftford,  Lyttleton  and  Townfhend,  in  the  County  of 
Middlefex,  and  the  Town  of  Lunenburg,  and  the  Townfhip  of  Ipfwich- 
Canada,  and   Dorchefter-Canada  (fo  called)  in   the  County  of  Worcefter, 

Humbly  Sheweth,  That  Y'^our  Petitioners  and  their  PredecelTors,  in- 
habiting the  feveral  Towns  and  Diftricts  aforefaid,  from  the  firft  Settle- 
ments of  faid  Towns  and  Diftricts  have,  and  ftill  do  labour  under  great 
Difficulty  and  Burthen,  by  Reafon  of  the  great  Diftance  they  live  from 
the  ufual  Place  of  holding  the  feveral  Courts  of  Juftice  within  the  Coun- 
ties aforefaid,  as  well  as  the  Courts  of  Probate  in  the  fame  Counties; 
many  of  the  Inhabitants  living  fifty,  some  forty,  and  few  lefs  than 
thirty  Miles  from  the  Courts  of  Probate  aforefaid,  which  renders  it  at 
all  Times  very  difficult,  and  fometimes  impoffible,  for  poor  Widows  and 
others  to  attend  the  Probate  Courts,  and  other  Courts  of  Juftice,  with- 
out great  Expense;  by  Means  whereof,  many  times  Actions  are  and 
neceffaril}-  muft  be  continued,  to  the  great  Coft  and  Charge,  oftentimes, 
to  poor  Orphan  Children,  and  others  who  are  neceffarilj'  obliged  to 
attend  faid  Courts;  and  this  almoft  inconceivable  Difficulty  and  Burden 
daily  increafes,  in  Proportion  to  the  Increafe  of  the  Inhabitants  of  faid 
Counties,  which  are  now  fo  large,  that  the  Inferior  as  well  as  Superior 
Courts  are  frequently  obliged  to  adjourn  over  Sundays,  in  order  to  finifh 
the  neceflary  Bufinefs  of  faid  Courts,  to  the  great  Coft  and  Damages  of 
many  poor  Witnefles  and  Jurymen,  and  others  who  are  obliged  to  at- 
tend, &c.  Wherefore  Y'our  Petitioners,  in  behalf  of  themfelves  and  the 
feveral  Towns  and  Diftricts  aforefaid,  moft  earnestly-  pray  Y'our  Exel- 
lency and  Honors  to  take  their  difficult  Cafe  under  your  wife  Confidera- 
tion,  and  pafs  fuch  Acts  and  Laws,  as  that  the  Towns  and  Diftricts 
aforefaid,  together  with  the  Towns  of  Chelmsford,  Dracut,  Dunftable 
and  Stow,  in  the  County  of  Middlefex,  and  the  Towns  of  Harvard  and 
Leominfter,  in  the  County  of  Worcefter  (or  fuch  of  faid  Towns  and 
Plantations,  or  any  others,  as  Your  Exellency  and  Honors  fhall  think 
fit)  may  be  erected  and  incorporated  into  a  feparate  and  diftinct  County, 
and  that  the  fame  may  be  invefted  with  all  the  Privileges  that  other 
Counties  have  and  enjoy  in  this  Province;  or  otherwife  grant  Relief  as 


Agents  for  Groton. 


72  Division  of  Worcester  County. 

Your  Exellency  and  Honors,  in  Your  known  Wifdom  and  Goodnefs  fhall 

fee  meet,   and   Your    Petitioners  in  behalf  of  theniflves  and    the   feveral 

Towns  they  rcprcfent,  as  in  Duty  bound,  fhall  ever  pray. 

Abel  Lawrence 
Oliver  Prefcott 
Jonas  Cutler 
James  Prefcot 
Jofiah  Sartell 

Jonath.  Lawrence  ] 

Thomas  Warren     ;     Agents  for  Lyttleton. 

Jofeph  Harwood    ) 

Jonas  Prefcott        ] 

William  Fletcher    ;  Agents  for  Weftford. 

Jabez  Reep  J 

Benjamin  Brooks   J  Agent  for  Townfhend. 

William  Prefcott    \  Agent  for  Pepperell. 

Hezekiah  Sawtell   }  Agent  for  Shirley. 

In  the  House  of  Representatives,  June  the  14th,  1764.  Read, 
and  ordered.  That  the  Petitioners  infert  Copies  of  this  Petition  in  all 
the  Bofton  News  Papers,  three  Weeks  fucceffively,  that  fo  that  feveral 
Towns  in  the  Counties  of  Middlefex  and  Worcefter  may  fhew  Caufe  (if 
any  they  have)  on  the  Second  Wednefday  of  the  next  Seflion  of  this 
Court,  wh}'  the  Prayer  thereof  fhould  not  be  granted. 
Sent  up  for  Concurrence, 

Thos.  Clapp,  Speak'r  Pro.  Tempr. 

In  COUNCIL,  June  14.  1764,  read  and  concurred. 

A.  Oliver,  Sec'ry. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  petition  was  dated  Decem- 
ber, 1763,  but  the  order  of  notice  issued  in  June,  1764. 

The  town  of  Fitchburg  was  not  named  in  the  petition, 
for  it  had  not  been  set  off  from  Lunenburg;  but  it  had 
become  incorporated  before  the  order  of  notice  was  issued, 
and  was  fully  identified  with  the  movement  thereafter, 
and  we  find  that  on  Oct.  22,  1764,  it  was  voted  in  town 
meeting  "to  join  Groton  and  others  in  petitioning  the 
Great  and  General  Court  for  a  new  county,"  and  David 
Goodridge,  Amos  Kendall  and  Thomas  Cowdin  were  chosen 
a  committee  "to  confer  with  the  committee  chosen  by  the 
town  of  Lunenburg  to  manage  the  affairs  of  said  county." 

This  petition  in  one  way  and  another  was  kept  before 


Division  of  Worcester  Coimty.  73 

the  legislature  through  several  A^ears.  It  was  bitterly 
opposed  by  the  counties  of  Worcester  and  Middlesex,  and 
in  1776  the  petitioners  abandoned  their  object.  This  was 
the  first  thoroughly  organized  effort  to  divide  this  great 
county,  which  was  incorporated  in  1731,  and  which  con- 
tains more  than  one-fifth  of  the  entire  territor3^  of  the 
state  and  is  more  than  double  the  size  of  any  count}'  in 
the  state  except  Berkshire  and  Middlesex. 

But  there  had  been  other  movements  and  conferences 
among  some  of  the  towns  in  the  northern  sections  of 
Middlesex  and  Worcester  counties  having  the  same  object 
in  view,  and  we  find  in  the  Lunenburg  Town  Records  the 
following  vote  recorded  at  a  meeting  held  on  September 
2,  1734,  only  three  years  after  Worcester  county  was  in- 
corporated, and  this  is  the  first  recorded  action  relating 
to  a  division  of  the  countj^: 

voted  and  Chofe  Col.'  Jofiah  Willard  Edward  Hartwell  Esqr  Capt 
Jonathan  Hubbard  Isaac  Farnfworth  and  Mr  Benja  Goodridge  to  be  a 
Comttc  for  and  in  behalf  of  y^  Town  of  Lunenburg  who  is  hereby  fully 
Impowered  and  Directed  to  Confer  and  act  with  ye  other  Comittes  that 
Shall  be  Sent  bj'  an3'  of  ye  Towns  in  ye  County  of  Middle  and  Worcef- 
ter  in  order  for  ye  Errecting  and  making  a  new  County.  Provided  that 
the  Town  of  Groton  be  ye  County  or  Shire  Town  and  alfo  that  ye 
Town  of  Lunenburg  aforefd  be  free  from  Coft  and  Charge  in  ^-e  firft 
Settlement  of  ye  Said  County 

and  upon  thefe  Conditions  ye  Comtte  are  hereby  Directed  to  act  in 
all  particulars  in  order  to  bring  forward  ye  Said  County  as  they  Shall 
Think  moft  proper,  and  they  are  hereby  wholy  forl)iden  to  act  any 
Thing  to  ye  Conterar3'  whatfoever 

At  a  meeting  held  December  16,  1734,  the  restrictions 
named  in  the  foregoing  vote  were  repealed,  as  it  was 
voted  that  the  committee  or  any  three  of  them  be  "verted 
with  Power  for  and  in  Behalf  of  y^  Town  of  Lunenburg 
aforef?  to  Do  and  act  an\^  thing  or  things  Respecting  y^ 
making  of  a  New  Count}'  out  of  y^  northerly  Parts  of  y« 
Countyes    of   Middlefex    and    Worcefter    as    they    in    their 


74  Division  of  IVorcester  County. 

wifdom  Shall  think  mod  Proper  and  Conducing  to  y*^  wel- 
fare thereof." 

Following  this  action  the  delegates  met  in  convention, 
but  it  does  not  appear  that  the  matter  was  brought 
before  the  legislature.  From  the  records  of  Fitchburg  we 
find  that  in  1784  Deacon  Kendall  Boutelle  and  Thomas 
Steams  attended,  as  delegates  from  this  town,  a  conven- 
tion at  Westminster  holden  for  the  purpose  of  dividing 
the  county  of  Worcester,  or  for  devising  means  for  that 
purpose;  and  in  the  following  May  Dr.  Jonas  Marshall, 
Capt.  Thomas  Cowdin  and  Elijah  Garfield  attended  a 
convention  at  Lunenburg  for  the  same  purpose.  I  cannot 
find  that  any  petition  went  to  the  legislature  as  a  result 
of  these  conventions. 

In  the  year  1794  the  following  vote  was  put  on  rec- 
ord in  the  town  of  Shirley:  "Voted  to  send  a  man  to 
Leominster  to  meet  a  committee  from  the  several  towns 
in  the  counties  of  Worcester  and  Middlesex  in  order  to 
petition  the  general  court  for  a  part  of  each  of  the  said 
counties  to  be  made  a  distinct  county."  Dr.  Benjamin 
Hartwell  was  chosen  delegate.  But  the  whole  matter 
was  reconsidered  later  and  the  delegate  dismissed.  I  do 
not  find  anywhere  any  other  reference  to  a  convention  at 
Leominster  and  probably  nothing  came  of  it  if  held. 

In  1785,  James  Bell  and  others  presented  a  petition 
to  the  legislature,  praying  for  a  new  county,  with  Peters- 
ham for  a  shire  town.  This  movement  was  confined  to 
the  northwestern  portion  of  the  county.  The  towns  of 
Hardwick,  Barre,  Hubbardston,  Petersham,  Templeton, 
Winchendon,  Athol  and  Royalston  were  to  be  separated 
from  Worcester,  and  united  with  the  towns  of  Warwick, 
Wendell,  New  Salem,  Shutesbury,  Orange  and  Greenwich 
from  Hampshire.     This  petition  was  also  rejected. 

In  1798  the  representatives  of  Templeton,  Barre, 
Petersham,    Athol,    Winchendon,     Hubbardston,    Oakham, 


Division  of  Worcester  County.  75 

Gerry,  Gardner,  Royalston  and  Warwick  presented  a  peti- 
tion to  the  legislature  pra3nng  for  the  incorporation  of 
these  towns  into  a  new  county,  but  failed  of  their  object. 
Fitchburg  does  not  appear  to  have  joined  in  this  move- 
ment. But  in  connection  with  this  action  we  find  a 
resolve  passed  by  the  legislature  March  3,  1798,  on  a  me- 
morial of  the  delegates  of  the  towns  of  Templeton,  Athol, 
etc.  This  resolve  directed  the  selectmen  of  said  towns  to 
cause  the  voters  to  meet  on  the  first  Monday  of  April, 
1798,  to  give  in  their  votes  on  the  expedienc}^  of  dividing 
said  county  into  two  separate  and  distinct  counties  and 
to  make  returns  to  the  next  general  court  on  or  before 
the  second  Wednesday  of  their  next  session. 

In  1828  a  new  attempt  was  made  by  Ivers  Jewett  of 
Fitchburg,  and  others,  to  form  a  new  county,  out  of 
almost  identicall}'  the  same  towns  as  were  later  proposed 
for  a  new  county  in  1874.  The  legislature  submitted  the 
question  to  the  voters  of  Worcester  and  Middlesex  coun- 
ties, and  of  course  it  was  defeated.  It  was  l^elieved  that 
had  the  voting  been  confined  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
towns  to  be  included  within  the  limits  of  the  new^  county, 
a  different  result  would  have  been  obtained. 

In  1850,  N.  P.  Smith  and  others  of  Groton  petitioned 
the  legislature  for  the  establishment  of  that  place  as  a 
shire  towm,  instead  of  Concord ;  but  the  petition  was 
rejected. 

In  1851  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  legislature, 
signed  by  4505  voters  from  the  towns  from  which  they 
prayed  that  a  new  county  might  be  formed.  The  petition- 
ers far  outnumbered  the  remonstrants.  The  committee  to 
whom  the  petition  was  referred  reported  no  bill;  but  the 
matter  was  referred  to  the  next  general  court. 

In  1852  a  petition  was  presented,  asking  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  half-shire  at  Fitchburg.  A  bill  was  reported 
and  defeated  in  tlic  house. 


76  Division  of  Worcester  County. 

In  1853  William  B.  Towne  and  others  presented  a 
petition  for  the  erection  of  a  new  county,  to  be  composed 
of  nearly  the  same  towns  as  those  later  included  within 
the  proposed  new  county  of  1874.  Upon  this  petition  a 
bill  was  reported  to  establish  the  county  of  Webster, 
named  in  honor  of  Daniel  Webster,  who  had  just  died. 
The  report  was  amended  in  the  senate  by  substituting  a 
bill  to  make  Fitchburg  a  half-shire,  but  was  afterwards 
lost  between  the  two  houses. 

Not  disheartened  by  so  many  defeats,  the  petitioners 
came  again  to  the  legislature  in  1854.  After  a  full  hear- 
ing, a  bill  was  reported  to  incorporate  the  county  of  Web- 
ster. The  burden  of  the  complaint,  then  as  now,  was 
that  the  petitioners  did  not  enjoy  facilities  for  "obtaining 
right  and  justice  freely"  in  the  same  measure  as  they 
were  meted  out  to  the  people  in  any  other  part  of  the 
commonwealth.  It  was  proved  that  the  extra  expense  for 
travel  of  witnesses,  jurors  and  parties  from  the  northern 
part  of  the  county  of  Worcester  amounted  to  so  large  an 
annual  sum  as  to  be  a  severe  tax  on  those  who  w^ere 
compelled  to  bear  it.  It  was  proved  that  eleven  of  the 
Worcester  towns  were  obliged  to  travel  twenty-six  miles 
out  and  twenty-six  miles  home  again,  further,  by  being 
obliged  to  go  to  Worcester  to  transact  their  law  business, 
than  the}^  would  travel  if  Fitchburg  was  their  county 
seat;  and  the  Middlesex  towns  were  forced  to  make  a 
journey  twenty-eight  miles  longer,  on  the  average,  than 
they  w^ould  if  Fitchburg  were  their  county  seat.  This,  it 
must  be  borne  in  mind,  was  before  the  shire  town  of 
Concord  was  abandoned,  as  such.  Those  towns  now 
have  to  go  to  Cambridge  or  Lowell  to  despatch  court 
business. 

The  committee  decided  that  the  new  county  should  be 
created,  as  prayed  for,  and  declined  to  submit  the  question 
to  the  voters,  as  urged  by  the  remonstrants.    The  number 


Division  of  Worcester  County.  77 

of  petitioners  was  742 ;  of  remonstrants,  4060.  To  quote 
from  its  report,  the  "committee  were  convinced  that  the 
creation  of  a  new  county  was  an  act  of  government,  of 
the  propriety'  of  which  the  legislature  was  peculiarly  the 
judge,  and  which  it  was  bound  to  perform  whenever  it 
was  satisfied  that  the  necessities,  either  of  the  present  or 
of  the  future,  called  for  it ;  and  that  it  was  such  an  act 
as  should  never  be  allowed  to  depend  for  its  force  upon 
the  wishes  or  prejudices  of  those  who,  after  all,  are  inca- 
pacitated by  their  very  position  from  seeing  the  question 
in  all  its  bearings.  As  it  would  not  be  pretended  that 
any  number  of  towns,  small  or  large,  that  might  desire 
to  be  formed  into  a  new  count}-,  should  have  their  prayer 
granted,  though  never  so  united  in  urging  it,  unless  they 
could  show  forcible  reasons  for  the  change,  aside  from 
their  own  desires,  so  it  ought  not  to  be  contended  that 
the  opposition  of  a  large  majority  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  towns,  most  of  them  but  slightly  interested  in  the 
objects  for  which  counties  are  primarily  created,  should 
deter  the  general  court  from  erecting  them  into  a  new- 
county  if  it  should  be  satisfied  that,  as  a  matter  of  state 
polic3^  wisely  looking  to  the  future,  it  was  desirable,  even 
though  it  could  not  be  accomplished  without  some  sacri- 
fices, some  social  suffering,  from  the  sundering  of  ancient 
and  accustomed  relations,  and  some  increase  of  expense 
at  the  moment."  This  bill  was  defeated,  like  so  many 
that  went  before  it. 

The  bill  was  reported  in  the  senate  and  there  amended 
by  striking  out  the  town  of  Groton,  and  passed.  It  went 
to  the  house,  where  Groton  was  restored,  and  the  provi- 
sion that  Fitchburg  provide  $25,000  toward  the  county 
building  was  stricken  out,  and  the  bill  passed.  The  sen- 
ate non-concurred  in  these  amendments,  and  the  bill  failed. 
This  was  the  nearest  that  we  ever  came  to  having  a  new 
county. 


78  Division  of  Worcester  County. 

In  1855  the  people,  conscious  of  the  justice  of  their 
cause,  again  appealed  to  the  legislature.  The  testimony  for 
and  against  the  formation  of  a  new  county  w^as  similar 
to  that  of  former  years.  The  substance  of  the  complaint 
was  that  the  people,  as  jurors,  parties  or  witnesses,  were 
subjected,  by  reason  of  their  distance  from  the  county 
seat,  to  much  unnecessary  expense  and  inconvenience,  a 
great  part  of  which  would  be  obviated  by  the  proposed 
change,  and  that  thev  did  not  possess  the  same  facilities 
for  transacting  court  business  as  were  possessed  by  other 
citizens  of  the  commonwealth. 

"It  was  strongly  urged  by  the  opponents  of  division 
that,  by  a  separation  of  the  countj^  Worcester  would  be 
shorn  of  much  of  her  comparative  importance  in  a  politi- 
cal point  of  view%  and  that  she  would  cease  to  hold  that 
elevated  position  among  her  sister  counties  which  she  has 
maintained  for  so  long  a  time." 

The  committee  close  their  able  report  as  folio w^s: 

Your  committee  still  further  believe,  from  the  evidence  adduced, 
taking  a  comprehensive  view  of  the  whole  matter,  that  the  interests  of 
the  whole  county  would  be  better  promoted  by  a  division,  from  the  fact 
that  the  city  of  Worcester  would  still  be  left  the  centre  of  the  largest 
county,  territorially,  in  the  State,  and  one  of  the  most  thriving  and 
most  prosperous,  while  such  division  would  tend  to  develop  more 
rapidly,  along  the  northern  line  of  the  State,  those  resources  which  now  lie 
comparatively  dormant ;  and  the  same  prosperity  may  be  confidently  an- 
ticipated for  the  new  that  has  already  been  realized  by  the  old  county. 
With  these  convictions,  your  committee,  however  much  they  may  differ 
from  those  who,  from  local  attachments,  from  personal  or  other  con- 
siderations, entertain  opposite  views,  would  be  doing  injustice  to  their 
sense  of  right  should  they  fail  to  express  emphatically  that  a  case  of 
exigency,  decided  in  its  character,  has  been  shown  to  exist,  and  that  the 
prayer  of  the  petitioners  should  and  ought  to  be  granted. 

A  bill  to  establish  the  county  of  Washington  was  ac- 
cordingly reported  and  defeated  in  the  senate. 

Nothing  daunted  by  repeated  defeats,  in  1856  the  peti- 


Division  of   Worcester  County.  79 

tioners  came  again  and  asked  for  a  new  county.  So  strong 
and  clear  was  their  case  that  the  committee  reported  a 
bill  without  giving  any  extended  reason  for  their  action. 
This  bill  was  also  defeated  in  the  senate,  but  by  so  small 
a  vote  that  it  was  apparent  the  new  county  must  soon 
be  established,  and  its  opponents  permitted  a  bill  to  pass 
making  Fitchburg  a  half-shire.  Since  that  time  three 
terms  of  the  superior  court  have  been  held  annuallj^  at 
Fitchburg.  A  house  of  correction  has  been  erected  here, 
and  in  1871  an  elegant  and  commodious  court-house  was 
completed,  so  that  all  requisite  count}^  buildings,  with 
rooms  for  all  county  offices,  are  now  provided  within  the 
limits  of  the  proposed  new  county. 

In  1873  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  legislature  for 
the  establishment  of  a  registry  of  deeds  for  the  district  of 
Northern  Worcester.  A  bill  was  reported  in  the  senate, 
but  defeated  in  the  house.  But  the  registry  was  established 
in  1884  and  regular  monthly  sessions  of  the  probate  court 
in  1878. 

After  the  establishment  of  the  half-shire  the  matter 
rested  until  1874,  when  another  effort  was  made  to  estab- 
lish a  new  county  by  the  name  of  Lincoln.  The  advocates 
of  division  had  formerly  conjured  with  the  names  of  Wash- 
ington and  Webster.  Now  the  potency  of  the  name  of  the 
martyred  president  was  invoked  to  help  the  cause  on. 
The  towns  proposed  to  be  incorporated  in  the  new  county 
were  Fitchburg,  Ashburnham,  Athol,  Berlin,  Bolton,  Clin- 
ton, Gardner,  Harvard,  Hubbardston,  Lancaster,  Lunen- 
burg, Leominster,  Petersham,  Phillipston,  Princeton,  Ro^^- 
alston.  Sterling,  Templeton,  Westminster  and  Winchendon, 
in  the  county  of  Worcester,  and  Ashby,  Shirley  and  Town- 
send  in  the  county  of  Middlesex. 

The  petition  was  heard,  but  was  summarily  bowed  out 
of  court  in  the  following  report : 


80  Division  of  Worcester  County. 

That  considering  the  strong  opposition  from  the  towns  which  it 
is  proposed  to  include  in  the  new  county,  as  well  as  from  the  county  at 
large,  and  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  inconveniences  which  may  exist 
in  consequence  of  the  great  extent  of  Worcester  County  are  certainly 
less  than  formerly  when  the  legislature  refused  to  divide  it,  and  believing 
that  the  matter  deserves  a  more  extended  and  careful  consideration  than 
your  committee,  with  their  other  duties  have  been  able  to  give  it,  the 
committee  recommend  that  the  subject  be  referred  to  the  next  General 
Court. 

The  late  Col,  E.  P.  Loring,  one  of  our  representatives 
at  that  time,  and  a  member  of  the  judiciary  committee, 
whom  we  remember  as  quite  an  aggressive  man  when  he 
considered  his  cause  a  good  one,  dissented  from  the  report 
of  the  committee  and  made  a  very  able  and  exhaustive 
report,  accompanied  with  a  bill,  closing  his  report  as  fol- 
lows: 

The  printed  remonstrance  from  the  city  of  Worcester  suggests  that 
Fitchburg  is  ambitious.  Ambitious  of  what,  indeed  ?  Only  to  have  her 
rights,  as  other  citizens  of  the  Commonwealth  have  their  rights.  Fitch- 
burg has  had  the  courts  for  eighteen  years ;  a  house  of  correction  for 
seventeen  years :  an  elegant  court-house  for  three  years.  This  city  is  not 
to  be  aggrandized  by  the  erection  of  new  county  buildings,  nor  b}'  the 
establishment  of  any  new  courts,  except  one  term  of  the  supreme  judi- 
cial court.  She  only  asks  that  the  56,000  people  within  eleven  miles  of 
her  court-house  and  jail,  may  have  increased  facilities  for  recording  their 
deeds,  more  terms  of  the  probate  court,  and  relief  from  the  needless 
travel  and  expense  of  the  present  arrangement  of  the  courts. 

The  expense  of  the  new  county  officers  will  be  less  than  $6,000  per 
year,  a  small  sum  compared  with  the  amount  now  paid  for  travel  and 
term  fees  under  the  present  system. 

I  am,  therefore,  of  the  opinion  that  the  question  submitted  to  the 
Committee,  "Whether  proceedings  in  the  courts  of  justice,  and  the  con- 
venience of  the  people  in  the  towns  of  the  northern  part  of  Worcester 
County  and  the  western  part  of  Middlesex"  would  be  facilitated  and 
promoted  by  the  formation  of  a  new  county  ?  must  be  answered  in  the 
affirmative.  And  I  submit  the  accompaning  bill  to  establish  the  county 
of  Lincoln. 


Division  of  Worcester  County.  81 

The  majority  report  of  the  committee  was  accepted 
and  the  bill  failed. 

In  1875  the  subject  of  division  was  again  brought 
before  the  legislature.  A  hearing  was  given  b}'  a  commit- 
tee and  an  unfavorable  report  resulted.  A  discussion  fol- 
lowed in  the  house,  and  an  effort  was  made  to  substitute 
for  the  committee's  report  Col.  Loring's  bill  of  the  preced- 
ing year,  leaving  out  Shirley  and  Townsend,  but  it  was 
voted  down  and  the  committee's  report  accepted  h\  a 
strong  vote.  This  was  the  last  attempt  to  secure  a  divi- 
sion of  the  county. 

This  is  in  brief  the  history  of  the  several  attempts  to 
get  a  division  of  Worcester  county  during  the  past  one 
hundred  and  sixt^'-three  years.  The  cause  is  not  dead  but 
sleeping,  and  there  are  reasons  for  believing  that  the  next 
effort  will  result  in  an  easy  victor3'. 

Of  the  many  struggles  to  bring  about  a  division  of  the 
county,  it  is  probable  that  those  of  the  years  1854  and 
1856  were  the  most  persistently  fought.  In  both  of  these 
3'ears  the  petitioners  had  the  services  of  Hon.  Rufus  Choate, 
the  silver-tongued  orator,  of  whom  the  present  generation 
know  but  little  from  personal  recollection,  of  whom  it  was 
said  at  the  time  of  his  death,  "as  an  advocate  he  has  left 
no  successor  at  the  Boston  bar." 

No  better  talent  could  have  been  employed  by  the 
petitioners,  and  in  both  of  these  3^ears  he  succeeded  in  hav- 
ing bills  reported  ;  but  which  failed,  as  has  been  before 
stated,  in  the  legislature. 

The  leading  counsel  opposed  to  Mr.  Choate  in  1854 
was  Richard  H.  Dana  of  Boston,  and  in  1856  Judge  Henry 
Allen  of  Worcester.  Ex-Governor  George  S.  Boutwell  also 
opposed  in  behalf  of  Middlesex  county  in  both  of  these 
years. 

In    1852    Hon.   Nathaniel    Wood    and    Charles   Mason 


82  Division  of  Worcester  County. 

represented  the  petitioners,  and  Hon.  Emery  Washburn 
and  Joseph  Mason  of  Worcester,  the  remonstrants.  Mr. 
Washburn  also  represented  the  remonstrants  in  1855,  and 
we  have  his  argument  in  print,  a  pamphlet  of  seventy-six 
pages,  from  which  I  do  not  find  it  necessary  to  quote  at 
the  present  time. 

It  has  seemed,  to  me  that  I  cannot  better  close  this 
hastih'  prepared  paper  than  to  read  you  some  extracts 
from  Mr.  Choate's  two  arguments,  the  first  made  in  April, 
1854,  and  the  second  in  April,  1856.  [Mr.  Willis  then 
read  several  of  the  most  effective  portions  of  the  addresses, 
closing  with  the  following  eloquent  sentences  contained  in 
Mr.  Choate's  last  argument  of  April,  1856.] 

A  ver3'  powerful  final  appeal  was  made  to  you  on  behalf  of  the 
four  towns  in  the  county  of  Middlesex,  which  it  is  said  strongly  desire 
to  remain  in  the  county  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  Concord  Bridge,  and  Lex- 
ington. Sir,  I  honor  and  have  these  beautiful  regards,  and  this  filial 
feeling  which  appeals  so  peculiarly  to  the  glory  of  our  fathers,  and 
makes  us  all  desire  to  share  it.  But,  sir,  I  submit  that  I  distrust  the 
cause, — although,  in  this  case,  I  can  hardly  distrust  the  advocate  who 
tries  to  enlist  these  holy  and  noble  affections  to  defeat  the  claims  of  two 
and  forty  thousand  of  his  fellow-citizens  to  an  equality  of  justice.  If  he 
were  here,  I  should  be  glad  to  tell  Governor  Boutwell  that  these  same 
towns,  when  the  proposition  was  first  presented  to  them,  petitioned  by 
large  majorities  for  a  change.  Had  they  then  forgotten  Bunker  Hill ;  or 
is  it  not  this  vast  body  of  misrepresentation  in  regard  to  the  increased 
expenditure  that  has  constantly  influenced  them  to  change  their  minds  ? 
Let  me  tell  him  that  these  sentiments  refuse  to  march  under  the  banner 
of  injustice. 

Let  me  tell  him  that  the  true  descendant  of  the  men  who  fought  at 
Bunker  Hill  would  be  the  first  to  say  to  this  government: — "Gentlemen, 
assign  me  my  civil  or  military  post,  and  there  I  will  stand,  and  there  I 
will  fall,  by  whatsoever  name  you  please  to  call  the  county  in  which  I 
live.  Whatsoever  place  you  assign  me  in  the  attainment  of  justice, — 
^vhatsoever  place  you  assign  me  in  the  accommodation  of  my  fellow- 
citizens,  I  accept  it  gratefully,  all  of  it;  I  accept  it  all.  And  meantime, 
on  every  Nineteenth  of  April,  and  Seventeenth  of  June,  and  Fourth  of 
July,  I  shall  continue  to  take  my  children,  as  heretofore,  and  lead   them 


Division  of  Worcester  County.  83 

out  and  show  them  where  their  ancestor  was  loading  his  gun  for  the 
last  time  when  the  British  ba3'onet  pierced  his  breast;  I  shall  take  them 
to  the  shade  of  the  monument  and  teach  them  to  be  ready  at  that  day 
when  the  country  is  to  fall — when  her  day  of  trial  shall  come — to  shed 
their  blood  too,  in  her  defence;  and  I  shall  reconcile  them  and  myself  to 
that,  as  good  citizens."  There  will  be  sentiment  against  sentiment. 
These  aged  men  will  pass  away  as  a  dream,  and  a  new  generation  will 
come  forward,  in  whose  hearts  will  spring  up  that  other  feeling, — pride 
to  know  that  there  is  inscribed  on  these  hills  and  valle3's  the  greatest 
name  of  earth,  before  whom  all  ancient  and  modern  greatness  is  dim ; 
pride  to  know  that  on  their  own  county  is  borne  the  superscription  of 
Washington,  which  is  to  stand  a  monument  at  once  attesting  and  shar- 
ing his  immortality.  Let  one  sentiment,  if  it  is  sentiment,  counteract 
the  other;  and  between  the  two  give  us  justice,  and  give  us  our  rights. 
I  thank  the  committee  for  their  patience,  and  leave  the  case  in  their  hands. 


REV.  GEORGE  TRASK,  THE  "ANTI-TOBACCO 

APOSTEE." 

Read  at  a  Meeting  of  the  Society,  September  21,  1896. 
BY    ATHERTON    P.    MASON,    M.    D. 


George  Trask  was  born  in  Beverly,  Mass.,  August  26, 
1796.  His  parents  were  Jeremiah  and  Hannah  (Wallis) 
Trask.  Of  them  and  his  ancestry  Rev.  Mr.  Trask,  in  his 
autobiographical  sketch  printed  in  The  Phrenological 
Journal,  December,  1870,  characteristically  said:  "They 
were  both  of  a  godly  type — Israelites  indeed — Calvinistic 
to  the  hub  and  as  true  to  the  venerable  catechism  as  the 
needle  to  the  pole.  The  blood  of  both  is  traceable  to  the 
blue  hills  of  Scotland ;  and  it  must  have  been  very  respect- 
able blood,  for  even  now,  in  spite  of  all  adulterations,  it 
is  not  half  so  bad  as  much  that  is  current  about  us.  I 
have  searched  m^^  pedigree  and  I  find  no  Trask  who  was 
a  king,  lord,  duke,  or  an3^  tremendous  character,  and  I 
find  none  that  was  hung,  whatever  our  deserts." 

Jeremiah  Trask  was  a  man  of  unusual  intelligence,  but 
in  moderate  circumstances,  and  young  George  was  early 
put  to  work  and  so  did  not  receive  a  very  extended  com- 
mon school  education.  In  later  years,  however,  he  ac- 
quired, through  his  own  exertions,  an  excellent  collegiate 
and  professional  training. 

When  about  sixteen  3^ears  old  he  was  apprenticed  to 
an  elder  brother,  Israel  Trask,  of  Beverly,  who  is  credited 
with  being  the  pioneer  manufcicturcr  of  Britannia  ware  in 


Rev.  George   Trask,  the  '' Anti-Tobacco  Apostle'"'  85 

this  country,  and  remained  with  him  some  four  A'ears.  In 
1816  he  went  to  Marhlehead  and  opened  a  hardware  and 
jewelry-  store,  where,  as  he  expresses  it,  he  "made  a  little 
money  when  it  required  but  little  brains  and  less  knavery 
to  make  it."  It  was  during  his  sojourn  in  Marblehead 
that  the  life-lon<j^  intimacy  between  George  Trask  and  the 
writer's  grandfather,  Dr.  Calvin  Briggs,  began ;  and  this 
close  acquaintance  was  continued  by  the  two  families  ever 
after.  In  1819,  young  Trask  w^as  converted  and  felt  an 
imperative  call  to  prepare  himself  for  the  ministry.  He 
therefore  gave  up  his  buvsiness,  which  b\'  that  time  had 
become  both  lucrative  and  agreeable,  and  went  to  Gorham 
academj'  in  Maine  to  fit  for  college,  and  in  due  time 
entered  Bowdoin,  where  he  graduated  in  1826.  During 
his  collegiate  course,  George  Trask  was  a  marked  man, 
not  on  account  of  his  lirilliancy  as  a  scholar,  for,  as  he 
wrote,  "My  recitations,  if  I  remember  aright,  were  indif- 
ferent, seldom  calculated  to  inflame  vanity  and  pride," 
l)ut  because  of  standing  up  for  whatever  he  believed  was 
right,  and  being  strenuous  in  advocating  unpopular  meas- 
ures. He  was  naturally  an  agitator  and  reformer,  and 
aspired  to  usefulness  rather  than  to  greatness.  As  one  of 
the  Bowdoin  professors  remarked,  "Trask  is  to  be  the 
useful  man  of  his  class."  He  w^as  associated  in  college 
with  such  men  as  Franklin  Pierce,  John  P.  Hale,  Jonathan 
Cille\',  James  Bradbury  and  others  who  afterward  became 
famous ;  and  with  their  bright  and  keen  intellects  his  was 
often  at  variance.  Many  were  the  discussions  he  had,  in 
the  college  debating  societies,  with  these  young  men  on 
slavery  and  other  vital  ({ucstions ;  and  if  he  was  on  the 
unpopular  side  (as  he  usualh-  was)  and  believed  it  was 
the  right  side,  he  advocated  it  with  indomitable  courage, 
perseverance  and  zeal. 

One  instance  will  suflice  to  illustrate  his  strong  tend- 
enc3'-  to  reform  and  his  keen  sense  of  justice.  He  thus 
relates  it: 


86  Rev.  George   Trask,  the  "Anti-Tobacco  Apostle^ 

Kussworin — an  intelligent  negro,  who  has  since  died  lieutenant-gov- 
ernor of  Libei'ia — joined  m\'  class  in  1824  and  soon  made  application  to 
join  one  of  the  literar3'  societies.  This  application  was  contested  by 
storm3'  opposition  from  Frank  Pierce  and  other  collegians.  My  enthusi- 
asm for  the  negro's  rights  then  and  there  sulijected  me  to  an  uncom- 
fortable amount  of  obloquy,  and,  though  honored  with  no  hangman's 
rope  as  was  Mr.  Garrison  ten  years  after,  still,  before  Russworm's  rights 
were  acknowledged,  as  they  were,  I  was  hissed  and  hooted  down  to  my 
heart's  content. 

After  finishing  his  college  course,  he  became  a  student 
at  the  Andover  Theological  seminary,  from  which  he  grad- 
uated in  1829. 

September  15,  1830,  he  was  ordained  at  Framingham 
and  settled  as  pastor  of  the  Congregational  society  in 
that  town.  Seven  months  later,  April  15,  1831,  he  was 
married,  in  Lancaster,  to  Aliss  Ruth  F.  Packard,  daugh- 
ter of  Rev.  Asa  and  Nancy  (Quincy)  Packard.  He  closed 
his  pastorate  over  the  Framingham  church  April  6,  1836, 
and  a  few^  months  later  became  minister  of  the  Congrega- 
tional church  at  Warren,  Mass.,  where  he  remained  about 
eleven  years.  During  his  ministry  at  Warren  he  founded 
Quabog  academy  for  boys  and  girls.  Lucy  Stone  received 
her  education  at  this  academy  and  was  a  frequent  visitor 
in  Mr.  Trask's  family. 

During  these  sixteen  years  of  active  service  in  the  min- 
istry, Mr.  Trask  was  a  zealous  worker  in  temperance, 
anti-slavery  and  similar  reforms.  Many  a  time  did  he 
address  audiences  on  these  subjects  "when,"  as  he  says, 
"brickbats  were  in  high  repute,  and  when  we  had  to  say 
to  'gentlemen  of  propert}'  and  standing,'  'Gentlemen, 
these  arguments  are  weighty,  but  not  conclusive.'"  In 
this  connection  we  may  note  the  cause  of  his  giving  up 
his  pastorate  over  the  church  in  Framingham.  Rev.  Mr. 
Trask  would  pray  for  the  slaves  every  Sunda}-,  and  one 
of  the  influential  deacons  strenuously  opposed  his  doing 
so.     Neither    would  give  in   to  the  other  and   Mr.   Trask 


REV.  GEORGE  TRASK. 


Rev.  George   Trask,  tJic  ''A)iti-Tohacco  Aposild'  87 

very  properly  \vithdre\Y  from  such  an  unchristian  contest 
and  sent  in  his  resignation  as  pastor,  "  He  lacked  the  sym- 
pathy of  even  his  immediate  relatives  in  his  agitation  of 
reforms,  his  father  frequently  telling  him  to  "preach  the 
gospel,"  and  let  other  matters  alone. 

Early  in  1847  Mr.  Trask's  pronounced  anti-slaverj- 
views,  coupled  with  his  recognized  ability  as  a  preacher, 
led  the  members  of  the  Trinitarian  church  here  in  Fitch- 
burg  to  extend  him  a  call  to  Ijecome  their  pastor.  This 
call  was  accepted  and  Mr.  Trask  was  installed  July  21, 
1847.  He  continued  as  pastor  less  than  two  years,  sever- 
ing his  pastoral  relations  on  June  18,  1849.  There  were 
apparentlj^  two  reasons  for  his  doing  this — one  was  poor 
health  and  the  other  a  burning  impulse  to  labor  in  his 
new  field,  which  proved  to  be  his  life-work  during  the  last 
tw^enty-five  years  of  his  career,  the  anti-tobacco  crusade. 
As  the  "Anti-Tobacco  Apostle,"  Rev.  George  Trask  was 
one  of  the  most  noted  and  widely -known  citizens  of  Fitch- 
burg  from  1850  to  1875. 

For  over  twenty  years  he  had  been  an  excessive  user 
of  the  weed.  He  wrote  in  his  autobiography':  "  Ph\'si- 
cians  said  I  was  at  the  gates  of  death.  I  abandoned  this 
poison.  The  act  was  an  epoch  in  my  life."  Having  eman. 
cipated  himself,  he  was  all  aglow  to  free  his  fellow-men 
from  the  tobacco  habit.  He  began  by  talking  to  his 
tobacco-using  neighl)ors.  Then  he  went  into  the  public 
schools  and  Sundaj'  schools  in  Fitchburg  and  talked  to 
the  children  and  circulated  pledges  against  tobacco  and 
strong  drink.  Later  he  began  the  publication  of  his  anti- 
tobacco  and  anti-rum  tracts  and  Anti-Tohncco  Journal, 
and  spent  much  of  his  time  going  hither  and  yon  circula- 
ting them  and  his  pledges  and  medals  and  making  innu- 
merable addresses  in  churches  and  public  halls,  besides  do- 
ing an  immense  amount  of  missionary  work  privately  on 
railroad  trains,  or  wherever  he  chanced  to  be. 


88  Rev.  George   Trask,  the  ''•Anti-Tobacco  Apostle!' 

Some  years  later  he  was  advised  by  a  clerical  brother 
to  publish  extracts  from  his  experiences  in  traveling  about 
the  country,  and  in  1863  there  appeared  his  "Journal  and 
Memoranda  of  My  War  on  Tobacco."  The  writer  has 
seen  onl3^  extracts  for  the  years  1852,  1853  and  1854, 
and  there  is  no  evidence  that  there  are  published  records 
of  other  years. 

A  few  of  these  extracts  from  his  printed  journal  will 
perhaps,  better  than  anything  else,  give  an  ciccurate  idea 
of  Mr.  Trask's  methods  and  labors  in  prosecuting  his 
mission : 

Oct.  28,  1852. — On  my  way  to  Boston  see  Rev.  Dr.  P.  in  the  cars; 
have  a  free  talk  on  the  evils  of  tobacco.  He  says,  "It  is  an  insidious 
evil;  it  injures  the  individual  more  than  the  community;  to  fight  it  is 
like  fighting  the  miasma;"  and  winds  up  by  saying,  "Brother,  I  would 
not  fight  it  another  day.  Take  a  parish,  be  quiet  and  happy  the  rest  of 
life." 

Boston. — Right  in  front  of  the  Tremont  Temple  a  clerical  brother 
takes  me  by  the  button  and  facetiously  asks,  "  Brother,  have  you  got 
all  the  tobacco  out  of  the  world?"  "Not  all,  brother;  to  mend  the 
world  is  a  vast  concern.  Dr.  P.  Ijids  me  quit  this  reform  and  take  a 
parish."  "No,  no,"  my  friend  exclaims,  "go  on;  agitate,  agitate.  It  is 
up-hill  work,  but  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  go  on."     Doctors  disagree. 

Maiden,  Nov.  1. — The  clergy  here  seem  about  right.  They  entertain 
my  cause  with  sufficient  respect  and  interest.  Sabbath. — In  the  morning 
preach  on  the  sinful  aflinities  of  tobacco,  in  the  Methodist  church;  in 
the  afternoon,  on  the  same,  in  the  Baptist  church.  In  the  evening  I  lec- 
tured chiefly  on  the  traffic  in  this  poison.  As  I  enlarged  on  the  immo- 
ralit}'  of  manufacturing  cigars  and  selling  them  to  thoughtless  urchins 
and  dandies,  my  audience  became  much  excited.  The  cause  I  could  not 
divine.  As  I  closed  I  learned  that  a  superannuated  clergyman,  "deaf  as 
an  adder,"  and  who  had  kept  his  trumpet  at  his  ear  all  the  evening, 
was  a  manufacturer  of  cigars  and  had  piles  of  the  genuine  Havana  at 
the  depot,  manufactured  in  Maiden!  The  audience  was  excited,  not  so 
much  by  the  magic  of  my  clotiuencc,  as  by  the  fact  that  I  was  dealing 
with  a  brother  clerg^'man  a  little  as  Nathan  dealt  with  David. 

Monday  morning. — Call  un  my  clerical  friend.  He  appears  well; 
talks  like  a  good   man.    He  says,  "You  convinced  me,  last  evening,  that 


Rei'.  George   Trask,  tJie  ''A)iti-Tohacco  Apostle^  89 

I  am  in  bad  business.  When  I  have  used  up  the  little  stock  I  now  have 
I'll  (|uit  it;  and  as  some  atonement  for  damages  done,  I  will  buy  one 
hundred  copies  of  Tncle  Tobj'  on  Tobacco,'  and  spread  them  among 
the  Ijoys."     A  child  can  see  the  poor  man's  inconsistency. 

Labor  in  Maiden  not  in  vain.  Addressed  three  Sabbath  schools,  five 
day  schools ;  obtained  a  good  number  of  names  to  my  pledge.  Collec- 
tion, $8.75. 

Stoneham,  Nov.  8.  Sunday. — Preach  for  Messrs.  Whitcomb  and  Jew- 
ell, both  ver^-  kind  and  wide  awake.  Lectured  both  Sabbath  and  Mon- 
day evenings.  Collection,  $5.37.  A  few  "Uncle  Tobies"  sold,  still  more 
disappeared.  Hope  they  will  do  the  3'oung  robbers  good.  Whitefield,  as 
he  left  Marblehead,  having  made  no  converts,  mounted  a  lofty  rock  and 
cried,  "Marblehead  and  marble  hearts!"  I  mount  the  stage  to  leave 
Stoneham,  sa3-ing,  "Lord,  turn  Stoneham  hearts  to  hearts  of  flesh  I  " 

Andover,  Nov.  21.  —  Called  on  Rev.  Dr.  Justin  Edwards.  He  re- 
marked: "An  anti-narcotic  reform  is  coming  on.  It  is  a  necessity  of  the 
age  and  I  am  glad  3'ou  are  doing  something  in  this  direction."  »  »  « 
"Doctor,"  said  1,  "I  must  travel,  lecture,  preach  and  print  on  this  sub- 
ject. How  shall  I  obtain  support?"  The  good  man  put  his  lips  in  posi- 
tion and  as  usual  simply  said,  "Trust  God." 

Called    on    Professor  ,   of  the  seminary.     He  assures    me    that   I 

shall  do  a  world  of  good  if  I  do  not  carry  matters  too  far.  "  I  chew 
a  little,"  he  adds.  "The  little  I  chew  does  me  good.  I  detest  smok- 
ing— it  poisons  the  common  air." 

I  passed  to  the  seminary  to  give  a  lecture  to  the  students.  The  first 
I  met  accosted  me  thus:  "Mr.  Trask,  a-ou  came  too  late  to  benefit  me. 
I  gave  up  tobacco  some  three  months  ago."  "You  smoke,  ni\'  young 
brother;  I  smell  it."  "Yes,  I  must  smoke  a  little;  but  /  abhor  chew- 
ing."   Doctors  disagree. 

Concord,  N.  H.,  Dec.  7. — On  the  college  score  I  call  on  Frank  Pierce 
at  the  Eagle  House.  He  endorses  m\'  notions  on  the  affinities  of  to- 
bacco and  strong  drinks  by  some  striking  statements,  and  thanks  me 
for  my  "Boys'  Temperance  Book,"  a  copy  of  which  was  sent  to  his  lit- 
tle son  b^'  Mr.  Lawrence.  God  made  Frank  a  gentleman — slave-drivers 
will  make  him  president. 

Boston,  Dec.  31. — Sad!  sad!  Hear  of  the  decease  of  Amos  Law- 
rence, Esq.  Man}'  rills  of  beneficence  are  cut  off  by  this  stroke  of  death. 
He  had  just  begun  to  show  an  interest  in  my  huml)le  cause,  had  printed 
two  editions  of  m\'  "Uncle  Toby"  and  generoush'  spread  them  over  the 
land.  Hut  3'esterday  he  said,  "I  like  this  boys'  book.  If  I  live,  every 
school-boy    in    our  state    shall   have   a  copy."     "I    owe,"   he   says,    "my 


90  Rev.  George   Trask,  the  '' A iiti-Tobacco  Apostle." 

present  position  in  society,  under  God,  to  the  fact  that  I  never  used  rum 
or  tobacco."  He  wrote  in  his  pocket-book,  "How  hardh'  shall  they 
who  have  riches  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven!"  On  whom  has  the 
mantle  of  Lawrence  fallen  ? 

Boston,  Jan.  16,  1853.— I  see,  at  the  Marlboro'  Hotel,  Rev.  Dr. 
Walker  of  Vermont.  He  says,  "Clergymen  and  Christians  must  set  a 
safe  example,  or  we  can  no  more  stop  the  use  of  tobacco  than  we  can 
stop  Niagara." 

I  sit  at  the  table  by  Hon.  Amasa  Walker,  secretary  of  state.  I  ob- 
served to  him,  "You  are  scented  with  the  odor  of  the  weed,  and,  as 
much  as  you  hate  it,  you  must  have  Ijeen  smoking."  "O,  no,"  he  replied, 
"I  have  only  been  in  bad  company.  I  have  been  at  the  Revere  House 
with  the  governor  and  council." 

A  Boston  deacon  takes  me  by  the  arm  and  says,  "I  once  thought 
\'ou  a  fool  for  fighting  tobacco.  I  have  stopped  smoking  and  begin  to 
think  you  are  a  wise  man."  "Reformers,  deacon,  always  have  the  name 
of  being  a  little  'cracked.'  Even  the  apostles  did  not  escape  the  re- 
proach.   We  bide  our  time." 

I  tramp  up  and  down  the  streets  to  get  booksellers  to  sell  my  anti- 
tobacco  productions.  They  all  politely  excuse  themselves  and  give  me 
to  understand  that  it  is  not  their  business  to  carry  on  reforms,  but  to 
make  money.  The  notions  of  Boston  booksellers  are  not  verj'  celestial 
and  sublime. 

Essex,  Jan.  15. — I  am  here  by  a  previous  understanding  with  Dr. 
Crowell;  but  I  learn  that  his  mother-in-law,  Mrs.  Choate,  lies  dead  in 
the  house.  Hence  I  tell  the  doctor  that  his  people  will  not  expect  a 
theme  like  mine  to-morrow,  and  I  had  better  go  elsewhere.  "  You  are 
mistaken,"  he  replies;  "This  is  just  the  time  we  need  your  sympathies. 
Preach  on  your  reform  in  the  morning;  preach  a  funeral  sermon  in  the 
afternoon,  and  lecture  in  the  evening."    I  did  so. 

Had  an  interview  after  the  funeral  with  Hon.  Rufus  Choate.  He 
asks  many  ([uestions  respecting  the  bearings  of  tobacco  on  individuals 
and  nations.  He  says,  "It  is  a  mystery,  a  standing  mystery,  that  a 
narcotic  so  destructive  should  be  used  by  so  many  millions  and  excite 
so  little  attention.  I  never  used  it.  It  has  been  said  that  I  used  opium; 
but  I  don't  know  opium  from  other  poisons,  in  color  or  taste."  I  asked 
him  if  Mr.  Webster  used  tobacco.  He  said,  "No,  he  is  an  enem^'  to  it. 
If  he  has  sometimes  taken  a  pinch  of  snuflf  with  Mr.  Clay,  or  somebody 
else,  it  was  on  the  score  of  courtesy;  but  Mr.  Web.ster  abhorred  the 
common  use  of  it." 


Rev.  George    Trask,  the  ''Aitti-Tobaeeo  .l/yost/e."  91 

Clinton,  Jan.  23.— Do  my  best  to  present  my  cause  here.  Do  not 
succeed.  I  am  told  there  is  a  revival  in  prospect— had  better  not  do  it. 
According  to  King  Solomon,  there  are  some  things  sufficient  to  make  a 
wise  man  mad.  Now,  there  is  no  revival  here,  and,  I  fear,  no  prospect 
of  one.  There  is  a  gentleman  here,  however,  an  abominable  smoker, 
who  controls  the  pulpit  at  pleasure,  and  this  "expounds  the  riddle."  If. 
however,  a  revival  were  in  prospect,  what  harm  would  it  do  to  beseech 
these  numerous  "factory  hands,"  steeped  in  lager  beer  and  smoke,  to 
drop  their  idols  and  have  a  part  in  a  blessing  so  rich  ? 

Boston,  Feb.  9.— Prayer  meeting  in  Old  South  chapel.  Subject  for 
discussion  was  "Obstacles  to  Revivals."  One  brother  named  the  errors 
of  the  day;  another,  theatres,  balls,  horse  races;  another,  the  unbelief 
and  deadness  of  the  church.  I  named  intoxicating  drugs  and  drinks 
and  the  destructive  power  of  tobacco  on  young  men.  A  deacon,  ift  fine 
broadcloth,  straight  and  handsome,  called  me  to  order  and  appealed  to 
the  meeting  to  decide  whether  this  was  a  place  to  introduce  a  reform  of 
this  nature.  It  was  a  Boston  meeting.  It  largely  sympathized  with  the 
deacon.    He  was  up  and  the  "anti-tobacco  apostle"  was  down. 

Beverly,  Feb.  20.— Addressed  three  Sabbath  schools.  Preached  at 
the  Dane  street  church  in  the  afternoon.  Lectured  on  the  destructive 
eftccts  of  tobacco  on  the  body  and  soul,  on  church  and  state,  in  the 
evening.  Large  audiences,  though  Beverly  people  are  eminently  sensitive 
in  relation  to  what  they  hear  on  Lord's  day  evening.  My  friend,  A.  W., 
says,  "The  lecture  had  better  been  given  on  some  other  evening."  He 
says,  also,  that  a  neighbor  hard  by,  who  had  no  scruples  about  reading 
Scott's  novels  all  Sabbath  day,  says  my  lecture  was  a  profanation  of 
the  Sabbath,  and  exclaims,  "O,  you  going  t-j  hear  tobacco  talked  about 
on  the  Sabbath  I"  Ahl  when  will  people  see  that  anything  which  stu- 
pefies and  stultifies  the  immortal  mind  •  *  •  »  •  should  be  assailed 
Sabbath  day  or  an^-  da^'  ? 

Thursday,  21st.— In  company  with  "'Squire  Rantoul "  and  the  Rev. 
.Mr.  Thaj-er  visit  schools  and  address  them  on  my  theme.  The  venera- 
ble 'squire  was  a  boanerges  against  rum  when  I  was  a  bo}-.  He  is  now 
a  boanerges  against  tobacco. 

Templeton,  March  2.— Lectured  in  the  town  hall  on  the  vile  affinities 
of  the  weed.  Tracts,  etc.,  had  a  fine  run  here.  They  gave  me  a  collec- 
tion of  $1.85,  and  passed  a  resolution  expressive  of  their  thanks.  I 
gave  this  vote  of  thanks,  very  courteously,  to  the  conductor,  to  pay  my 
passage.  lie  smiled  and  refused  it.  Conductors  are  rather  particular 
what  money  they  take! 


92  Rev.  George   Trask,  the  ^'Anti-Tobacco  Apostle.'' 

Gardner,  March  6. — Preach  here  and  lecture  in  the  evening.  Large 
audience.  Brethren  Paine,  Hohnes,  Stowell  and  other  clergymen  present. 
A  spirited  meeting.    Contribution,  $7. 

See  a  Baptist  clergyman.  He  talks  sensibly  about  the  evils  of  to- 
bacco. He  has  no  charge — doing  nothing — has  nothing  to  do.  I  assure 
him  that  I  cannot  beg  a  salary  for  myself,  but  I  can,  with  good  grace, 
and  will,  beg  a  salary  for  him,  if  he  will  work  in  the  anti-tobacco  vine- 
yard. He  curls  his  lip  and  leaves  me  to  infer  that  he  scorns  a  work  so 
humble!  Ah,  how  slow  are  we  to  learn  that  there  is  dignitv  in  work 
and  dignity  in  doing  good  in  any  sphere ! 

Sterling,  March  20.  Sabbath. — Preached  for  Messrs.  Green  and  Guil- 
ford and  gave  an  evening  lecture.  Sterling  is  sadh-  saturated  in  rum  and 
tobacco.  The  twin  devils  have  fair  play  here.  O,  Lord,  bless  my  poor 
efforts  in  casting  them  out! 

Boston,  March  22. — An  agreeable  chat  with  A.  A.  Lawrence,  Esq. 
He  sa3's,  "My  father's  anti-tobacco  hobby  was  a  good  one,"  and  adds, 
"It  can  hardly  be  expected  that  his  family  will  show  the  same  zeal  in 
the  cause."  He,  however,  contributed  $10,  and  Dr.  William  Lawrence 
the  same.     Chips  of  the  old  block. 

Concord,  Ma3'  8. — Preached  here  and  attempted  to  lecture  at  a  third 
service,  but  was  prevented  by  a  thunder  storm.  May  9. — Attempt  to 
lecture  again,  but  find  I  run  an  opposition  stage  with  California  bears 
on  exhibition  here.  Paul  fought  with  beasts  at  Ephesus;  we  with  bears 
at  Concord.  I  know  not  how  large  an  audience  Bruin  &  Co.,  my  rivals, 
had,  but  mine  was  sufficiently  small  to  keep  me  humble.  My  visit  here, 
however,  is  not  a  failure.  Father  Hoar — noble  Puritan — expresses  much 
interest  in  my  mission  and  has  accompanied  me  to  all  the  schools. 

May  13. — On  iwy  route  to  Waltham.  Three  red  cents  in  my  treas- 
ury to  hire  a  hall,  pay  board  and  battle  the  most  popular  of  all  nar- 
cotics.   God  give  me  grit  and  grace ! 

Boston,  May  27.— Meet  Hon.  Charles  Sumner  on  Boston  Mall.  He 
says,  "Congress  is  all  defiled  by  tobacco!  If  you  will  do  anything,  my 
friend  Trask,  towards  removing  the  gigantic  evil,  I  will,"  pointing  to 
the  state  house,  "see  to  it  that  3-ou  have  ^i  statue  there." 

These  extracts  show  how  thoroughly  imbued  Mr. 
Trask  was  with  the  idea  of  the  vaUie  and  importance  of 
his  peculiar  mission  and  the  cheery  wa}'  in  which  he  met 
the  man}'  ol)stacles  that  naturally  arose  in  a  crusade 
against  so  popular  and  universal   an  evil.     Many  scoffed 


Rev.  George   Trask,  the  ''Aiiti-Tobacco  Apostle!'  93 

at  him  and  made  fun  of  his  work,  but  he  also  had  numer- 
ous staunch  friends  and  supporters,  not  a  few  of  whom 
were  people  of  note. 

During  his  quarter  century  of  labor,  Mr.  Trask  pub- 
lished some  three  hundred  tracts,  which  were  always  forci- 
ble and  to  the  point ;  most  of  them  contained  some  strik- 
ing example  of  the  evil  arising  from  the  use  of  tobacco  or 
strong  drink.  Man}'  were  illustrated.  The3'  were  chiefl\^ 
in  prose,  but  a  number  of  them  were  in  verse  and  were 
mainly  contributed  by  Mrs.  Phoebe  A.  Hanaford  and  Mrs. 
Caroline  A.  Mason.  The  stereot3'ped  plates  of  his  tracts 
and  some  other  publications  were  damaged  in  the  great 
Boston  fire  in  November,  1872.  The  writer  has  one  of 
these  damaged  plates,  interesting  both  as  a  memento  of 
Air.  Trask  and  as  a  relic  of  the  fire.  Mr.  Trask  published 
several  pamphlets  and  at  least  two  small  books — "Uncle 
Tob^-'s  Letters  to  His  Nephew,  Bill}-  Bruce,"  and  "Dr.  Ed- 
ward Hitchcock's  Zoological  Temperance  Convention" — 
a  cop3^  of  each  of  which  was  given  b^-  Mr.  Trask  to  the 
writer  when  he  was  hardly  old  enough  to  read  them. 
These  books,  each  inscribed  "To  m^^  young  friend,  Ather- 
ton,  Geo.  Trask,"  are  highh^  prized.  The  Anti-Tobacco 
Journal  he  published  at  two  different  times,  and  in  1871 
he  issued  a  thick  pamphlet  containing  an  "Autobiographi- 
cal Sketch,"  "Journal  and  Memoranda  of  My  War  on 
Tobacco,"  "Reports  of  the  American  Anti-Tobacco  So- 
ciety'," etc.  All  these  publications  are  hard  to  find  now, 
and  probabh'  a  complete  set  is  unobtainable.  This  society 
will  doubtless  have  a  tolerably  complete  set  if  ever  a  place 
is  provided  for  their  safe  keeping. 

Mr.  Trask  also  had  an  anti-tobacco  medal  about  the 
size  of  a  silver  quarter  dollar.  It  was  made  of  ^-ellow 
metal  and  was  as  resplendent  as  gold  when  new.  These 
medals  were  freely  circulated  hy  Mr.  Trask  during  his 
travels,    but    are    rarely    seen    now.     His    daughter,    Mrs. 


94  Rev.  George   Trask,  the ''Anti-Tobacco  Apostle.^'' 

Ruth  Q.  Powell,  of  Scranton,  Penn.,  has  recently  pre- 
sented to  this  society  a  handsome  specimen  in  mint  state. 
The  first  report  of  the  "American  Anti-Tobacco  So- 
ciety" is  dated  "  Fitchburg,  Mass.,  May  30,  1860,"  and 
covers  a  period  of  ten  3^ears  preceding.     It  opens  thus : 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen :  A  few  friends  liave  urged  nie  to  call  you  to- 
gether to  listen  to  a  statement  of  the  doings  of  the  American  Anti-To- 
bacco Society  for  the  ten  3'ears  of  its  existence,  and  to  give  you  an 
opportunity-  to  adopt  measures  to  arrest  an  evil  of  our  times  of  great 
magnitude. 

Other  societies  spread  before  you,  as  officers,  a  proud  array  of  the 
great  and  good,  whose  presence  dignifies  their  operations  and  commands 
public  homage  and  applause.  This  society  is  not  rich  in  names;  still, 
we  are  happy  to  present  a  Board  of  Officers  so  united  in  purpose,  so 
efficient  in  action,  so  reliable  and  so  well-looking,  considering  the  "  wear 
and  tear"  of  this  decade  of  hard  service.  The  president  of  this  societ}' 
is  George  Trask.  The  vice-president,  secretary,  treasurer  and  auditor  is 
the  Rev.  George  Trask.  The  honorary  bod\-,  corporate  and  incorporate, 
is  the  same  unwearied  individual,  the  "Anti-Tobacco  Apostle."  Fearing 
that  rival  societies,  envious  of  our  honors,  may  charge  us  with  egotism, 
we  would  remind  them  that  Dr.  Timoth3^  Dwight  has  said  that  wego- 
tism  is  as  bad  as  egotism. 

The  object  of  this  society  is  to  break  up  a  death-like,  prevalent  stu- 
pidity in  relation  to  the  evils  of  tobacco,  and  "by  light  and  love''  cre- 
ate a  public  conscience  which,  we  trust  in  God,  will  lead  to  the  removal 
of  so  great  a  curse.  Other  societies  wield  the  Ijattle-axe  of  reform 
against  local  evils;  this  evil  is  all-pervasive;  this  demoralizes  nations. 
Christian  and  heathen. 

Among  obstacles  to  the  society's  work  the  report  enu- 
merates the  incorrigibility  of  the  habit,  the  insidious  man- 
ner in  which  the  narcotic  does  wiischief,  the  scorn  and 
derision  encountered  from  both  saints  and  sinners,  the 
indulgence  with  which  manj^  ladies  regard  the  habit,  and 
the  cowardice  of  the  clerg}'.  The  report  then  goes  on  to 
state  that  during  the  past  ten  years  Mr.  Trask  had  deliv- 
ered over  2000  sermons  and  lectures  on  the  subject,  in 
eight    different    states,   besides    addressing    manj^    colleges, 


Rev.  George   Trashy  tJie  '■'Anti-Tobacco  Apostle ^  96 

academies,  female  seminaries  and  over  2000  common 
schools  and  Sabbath  schools,  and  pledging  many  thousand 
youths  to  total  abstinence  from  strong  drink,  tobacco 
and  profane  language.  Several  small  books  and  thirty 
tracts  had  been  published,  free  from  copyright.  The  pub- 
lication of  the  Anti-Tobacco  Journal,  "richly  illustrated 
with  cuttin<^-  cuts,''  is  mentioned  as  having  been  begun  in 
November,  1859.  I^rice  $1  per  year,  with  400  subscribers. 
During  the  ten  years  the  total  receipts,  in  the  form  of 
voluntary-  contributions,  were  onh'  three  thousand,  five 
hundred  and  forty-one  dollars  and  eighty-four  cents — truly 
a  meagre  salary-  for  such  an  immense  amount  of  mental 
and  plwsical  toil!  After  1860  these  reports  were  pub- 
lished annually  until  1870,  and  perhaps  longer,  and  arc 
well  worth  reading. 

During  the  civil  war  Mr.  Trask  issued  a  series  of 
"Tracts  for  Our  Arm3^  and  Navy,"  which  were  freeh'  dis- 
tri1)uted  among  the  soldiers  and  marines,  and  doubtless 
did  good  service. 

Although  Mr.  Trask  was  away  from  town  so  much, 
3-et  his  portly  form  and  genial  face  were  often  seen  upon 
our  streets  and  in  our  homes;  and,  although  so  deeph- 
engrossed  in  his  mission,  he  never  forgot  or  neglected  his 
duties  as  a  citizen  of  the  town  and  state.  In  town  meet- 
ings his  voice  was  alwa^-s  raised  in  support  of  all  meas- 
ures Ccdculated  to  result  in  benefit  to  the  people,  and  his 
ready,  active  debate  will  be  remembered  by  many.  He 
often  addressed  other  public  meetings  and  took  a  lively 
interest  in  ever\'thing  that  in  an^-  way  tended  to  promote 
the  public  weal,  or  ameliorate  the  condition  of  his  less 
fortunate  fellow-men  and  advance  them  in  Christian  civili- 
zation. His  zeal  and  labors  in  the  anti-slaver^'  cause  were 
persistent,  and  during  the  war  he  was  present  at  almost 
all  the  numerous  meetings  held  in  Fitchburg  for  the  relief 
and  succor  of  our  boys  in  the  field  of  war  and  often  was 


96  Rev.  George   Trask,  iJte  ''Anti-Tohacco  Apostle ^ 

one  of  the  speakers.  Of  course,  \Qxy  naturally,  he  fre- 
quently strayed  away  onto  the  tobacco  subject  when 
speaking,  and  this  fact  detracted  somewhat  from  the  force 
of  his  remarks  on  the  minds  of  his  audience;  but  it  has 
1)een  affirmed  that  at  at  least  one  of  these  war  meetings 
he  made  by  far  the  most  telling  address  and  helped  the 
cause  along  more  than  all  the  other  speakers  put  together. 

Mr.  Trask  was  pre-eminently  a  man  of  action.  Over 
the  desk  in  his  study  were  these  words  in  large  letters : 
"If  you  have  anything  to  do,  do  it."  This  was  the  mot- 
to of  his  life  and  he  conscientiously  lived  up  to  it.  He 
was  a  kindly,  gentle  man,  a  gentleman  of  the  old  school. 
Among  the  v^^riter's  earliest  recollections  is  that  of  the 
genial,  cheery  presence  of  Mr.  Trask  and  his  good  wife 
and  their  children  in  the  house  on  Laurel  hill.  A  throng 
of  pleasant  memories  arise  in  recalling  the  frequent  inter- 
change of  visits  during  the  fifteen  years  prior  to  Mr. 
Trask's  death  and  the  breaking  up  of  the  home  he  so 
long  occupied  on  Crescent  street.  It  was  a  delightful 
place  to  visit.  Mr.  Trask  was  jovial  and  witty  and 
withal  a  fine-looking  man.  He  had  a  twinkle  in  his  eyes 
and  an  almost  j"oguish  expression  in  his  licnign  counte- 
nance that  made  young  folks  like  him.  Mrs.  Trask,  with 
her  kindly  face  surrounded  by  a  lace  cap  of  goodly  dimen- 
sions and  perennial  snowy  whiteness,  was  always  enter- 
taining. About  a  3'ear  and  a  half  after  Mr.  Trask's  death 
she  went  to  Boston  Highlands  to  reside  with  her  daugh- 
ter, Mrs.  John  L.  Hill.  She  continued  to  live  with  the 
Hill  family  until  her  death,  November  1,  1880,  at  the  age 
of  nearly  eighty-one  years.  Her  funeral  was  held  at  the 
Rollstone  church  in  this  town  November  4,  and  the  burial 
was  in  the  family  lot  in  Laurel  Hill  cemetery. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Trask  had  a  family  of  six  children,  all 
of  whom  lived  to  adult  age  with  the  exception  of  one, 
William    Dodge,  w^ho  died,  at  the  age  of  eight  months,  on 


Rev.  George   Trask,  the  "xlnti-Tobacco  Apostle."  97 

January  25,  1844,  just  thirt\'-one  ^'■ears  before  his  father. 
Two  other  sons,  Brainerd  Packard  and  Josiah  Chapin, 
died  in  the  prime  of  manhood.  Brainerd  P.  Trask  was 
born  August  6,  1834.  He  served  as  an  officer  in  the  U. 
S.  navy  during  the  war,  and  was  acting  ensign  of  the 
"Congress"  at  the  time  of  the  memorable  action  with  the 
confederate  "Cumberland."  He  married  Miss  Ma r\'  Cann, 
sister  of  George  W.  Cann,  formerly  of  this  town.  After 
the  war  he  studied  law,  and  was  about  to  be  admitted 
to  the  bar  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  Frederick,  Mary- 
land, September  29,  1870. 

Josiah  C.  Trask  was  born  May  9,  1837.  He  was  one 
of  the  Fitchburg  pioneers  in  Kansas.  At  the  age  of  six- 
teen he  left  home  to  find  emplo_vment  in  his  chosen  profes- 
sion—journalism— and  became  foreman  of  the  pressroom 
of  a  New  York  paper.  The  Evangelist.  Three  years  later 
he  emigrated  to  Kansas  and  took  up  his  residence  in 
Lawrence  in  that  state.  In  1862  he  married  Miss  Rhoda 
Hibbard.  He  was  an  ardent  admirer  and  supporter  of 
Charles  Robinson,  who  later  became  governor  of  Kansas. 
He  continued  his  journalistic  career  and  became  editor  of 
the  Kansas  State  Journal,  and  the  bold  and  manly  stand 
he  took  for  freedom,  in  his  paper,  caused  him  to  be  early 
marked  as  a  victim  l)y  the  enemies  of  liberty-.  He  was 
one  of  the  first  to  fall  in  Quantrell's  raid  on  Lawrence, 
August  21,  1863.  He  was  called  out  of  his  house  at  early 
dawn  and  shot  down  by  the  guerrillas  l^efore  the  very 
eyes  of  his  3-oung  wife.  The  Ijody  of  this  nol)le  A'oung 
patriot  and  martyr  was  brought  to  his  New  England 
home  and  laid  to  rest  in  Laurel  Hill  cemetery.  The 
funeral  service  was  conducted  l)y  Rev.  Elnathan  Davis,  his 
former  pastor.  The  following  extracts  from  Rev.  Mr.  Da- 
vis' tril)ntc  arc  worthy  ol  record,  as  showing  the  sterling 
qualities  pcjssessed  l)y  Josiah  C.  Trask: 


98  Rev.  George   Trask,  tJie  "■Auti-Tobacco  Apostle^ 

Governor  Robinson,  with  other  state  officers,  had  been  indicted,  on 
charges  of  a  gross  nature,  bv  the  senate  of  Kansas,  and  he  asked  young 
Trask  to  go  to  the  seat  of  government  and  publish  a  small  daily  sheet 
in  his  defence  during  the  trial.  The  boy  editor  loved  the  governor,  but 
he  would  not  defend  him  if  guilty ;  and  so  he  asked  him  in  his  straight 
way,  "Governor,  /s  it  all  right?''  "Trask,"  was  the  equally  straight 
reply,  "You  can  trust  me;  it  is  all  right.''  Each  knew,  as  great  souls 
always  do,  his  man.  The  case  was  defended  in  a  keen  little  sheet  and 
the  young  editor  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  the  executive  of  Kansas 
vnanimousiy  acquitted  by  the  same  bod\'  that  corruptly  indicted  him. 
He  was  asked,  sometime  previous  to  his  fall,  "  What  will  you  do  if  the 
guerrillas  invade  your  state?"  His  reph'  was  brave  and  characteristic: 
"I'll  die  for  Kansas!" 

Truly  it  was  sad  to  have  a  young  life,  so  full  of  rare 
promise,  blotted  out  by  dastardly  border  ruffians,  and  his 
tragic  death  must  have  stirred  many  hearts  in  Fitchburg 
to  their  lowest  depths. 

The  other  three  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Trask  still 
survive.  George  Kellogg,  the  oldest  son,  married  Miss 
Ellen  M.  Waite  of  Fitchburg.  For  over  thirty  years  he 
has  been  a  resident  of  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  and  is  con- 
nected with  the  Indianapolis  Journal  as  railroad  editor. 
He  visited  Fitchburg  for  a  few  days  during  the  past  sum- 
mer, and  the  writer  regrets  that  appointments  to  meet 
him  and  secure  additional  material  for  this  sketch  of  his 
father  unavoidably  fell  through. 

Of  the  two  daughters,  Ruth  Quincy  married  Lewis  B. 
Powell,  who  died  several  years  after  their  marriage.  She 
resides  in  Scranton,  Penn.,  and  has  aided  considerably  in 
the  preparation  of  this  paper. 

Eliza  Sessions  Carpenter  Trask  nuirried  John  L.  Hill. 
She  possesses  in  a  marked  degree  her  father's  reform 
instincts  and  is  widely  known  as  a  lecturer. 

It  now  remains  to  saN'  ^i  few  words  touching  the  close 
of  Rev.  George  Trask's  life  and  labors.  During  these  last 
3'^ears    he    suffered    more    or  less    at    intervals    from    some 


Rev.  George   7 rusk,  tJic  ''Aiiti-Tobacco  Apostle^  99 

affection  of  the  heart.  His  step  became  less  firm  and  elas- 
tic and  he  began  to  show  the  effects  of  old  age  and  ardu- 
ous labor.  Still,  he  lost  none  of  his  zeal.  During  1874, 
in  addition  to  his  regular  missionary  work,  he  officiated 
as  chaplain  at  the  Fitchburg  house  of  correction  and 
preached  there  fifty-two  Sundays  without  omitting  a  sin- 
gle one. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Rev.  Edwin  R.  Hodgman,  for 
many  years  scribe  of  the  Middlesex  Union  Association,  of 
which  Mr.  Trask  was  a  member,  I  have  a  copy  of  the 
following  letter: 

Fitchburg,  Dec.  29,  1874. 
Dear  Bro.  Hodgman :  Your  letter  I  read  with  interest  and  sj-mpa- 
thy.  I  am  profoundly  impressed  with  3'our  toilsome  labors  and  surpass- 
inff  self-denial  in  long  serving  the  association.  We  have  few  "like- 
minded."  I  am  an  old  man.  My  compeers,  dear  honorable  men,  are 
falling  on  every  hand  and  I  am  daily  admonished  of  my  own  doom.  I 
hard]}'  expect  to  live  to  the  coming  March,  but  if  the  association  will 
take  the  risk  of  mj'  being  alive  on  the  earth  at  that  time,  I  welcome 
them  here  and  will  stand  in  open  door  and  say,  "afo  imo  pectore" — 
"Come  in,  come  in,  ye  beloved  of  the  Lord."  I  am  frail,  I  am  crushed 
with  labors,  but  the  Lord  permitting  I  shall  be  with  you  at  Ayer,  the 
pill  box,  next  Tuesday,  and  confer,  perhaps,  still  further.  Pray  for  me, 
brother,  that  I  may  do  a  little  more  good.  Give  my  poor  face  (enclosed) 
to  some  dear  soul  that  loves  the  Saviour  and  loves  reforms. 

Yours  as  ever,  Geo.  Trask. 

Rev.  Mr.  Hodgman,  who  no\v  resides  in  Townsend, 
adds  the  following: 

This  was  the  last  letter  I  received  from  Brother  Trask.  He  did  not 
meet  with  us  at  Ayer.  He  died  about  four  weeks  after  it  was  written. 
I  have  copied  it  because  I  wish  to  keep  the  original. 

About  the  10th  of  January,  1875,  Mr.  Trask  experi- 
enced a  sudden  and  (|uite  severe  exacerbation  of  his  heart 
dirticidty  and  was  confined  to  his  room  until  his  death, 
January  25.  He  was  engaged  at  the  time  in  the  prepara- 
tion  of   a   tract — "  Spurgeon    and   his    Cigar."     The  great 


100         Rev.  George   Trask,  tJie ''Anti-Tobacco  Apostle.^'' 

London  divine's  use  and  public  defense  of  tobacco  had 
greatly  disturbed  Mr.  Trask,  and  his  earnest  desire  was 
to  live  long  enough  to  see  this  tract  printed  and  distribu- 
ted, and  have  a  copy  in  Dr.  Spurgeon's  hands.  He  worked 
on  it  as  much  as  he  could  and  was  reading  the  second 
proof  at  the  time  of  his  death.  The  tract  was  soon  after 
printed  uncompleted  exactly  as  he  left  it  and  is  very  keen 
and  just. 

As  far  as  other  matters  were  concerned  he  felt  ready 
to  die.  "During  his  last  illness  he  expressed  no  desire  to 
recover,  but  rather  an  anxiety  to  depart.  He  thought  he 
had  reached  such  an  age  that  he  would  no  longer  be  use- 
ful, but  rather  a  burden  to  his  friends.  Better  for  the 
world  had  no  worse  men  than  George  Trask  lived  in  it." 
And  yet,  towards  the  last  of  his  illness,  when  some  slight 
signs  of  improvement  were  manifested,  he  exclaimed  to 
one  of  his  daughters,  "It  looks,  child,  as  if  the  Lord  was 
going  to  let  me  get  up  again.  If  he  does,  I'll  take  up  my 
battle-axe  and  go  at  it  again."  He  was  conscious  of  hav- 
ing been  a  martyr  in  a  good  and  righteous,  but  unpopu- 
lar cause,  and  often  made  the  remark,  "I'm  not  so  great 
a  man  as  Martin  Luther,  but  I  have  the  same  mart\^r 
spirit." 

On  the  morning  of  January  25,  1875,  he  was  seated 
in  his  easy  chair,  reading  a  book  brought  to  him  by  his 
daughter  Ruth.  It  was  Huxley's  "Lay  Sermons,"  and  he 
enjoyed  it  very  keenly.  A  few  minutes  before  noon  he 
arose  from  his  chair  and  looked  into  the  mirror.  He  went 
back  to  his  chair,  reopened  the  book  he  had  l)ccn  reading, 
threw  up  both  arms  and  almost  instantly  expired.  His 
strong  religious  faith  was  maintained  to  the  very  end. 
Only  a  few  minutes  laefore  his  death,  speaking  of  the  vic- 
tory over  death,  he  said,  "How'  do  we  get  this  victory? 
Through  sinful  man  ?  No.  Through  the  church  ?  No. 
Thanks  be  to  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ!  That's 
it!   that's  it!" 


Rev.  George   Trask,  the  "Aiiti-Tobacco  Apostle."         101 

His  funeral  was  held  Januar\'  28,  at  the  Rollstone 
church,  the  pastor,  Rev.  Leverett  W.  Spring,  conducting 
the  services.  Revs.  A.  P.  Marvin  of  Lancaster,  George 
Allen  of  Worcester,  Edwin  R.  Hodgman  and  others  took 
part,  and  a  large  number  of  his  friends  from  far  and  ncjir 
were  present.  The  burial  was  in  the  family  lot  in  Laurel 
Hill  cemetery. 

In  the  course  of  his  eulogy  on  Mr.  Trask's  life  and 
work,  Rev.  Mr.  Spring  said : 

Our  friend  will  be  known  as  the  great  anti-tobacco  agitator,  but  he 
was  a  reformer  before  he  made  war  on  tobacco.  The  character  of  a  re- 
former needs  original  personal  traits,  and  Mr.  Trask  had  these  to  an 
extent  that  might  be  called  eccentricities.  To  judge  of  his  character  one 
must  be  thoroughl}-  acquainted  with  his  whole  life.  He  belonged  to  the 
givers  rather  than  the  receivers.  His  desire  was  to  lessen  the  sufferings 
of  mankind. 

No  words  were  wasted  by  Mr.  Trask  in  his  published  tracts.  They 
flew,  like  the  arrow,  straight  to  the  mark.  In  his  anal3'sis  of  character 
there  was  a  sort  of  ideality'.  It  was  marked  by  justness,  penetrating  as 
it  did  into  the  very  springs  of  life  and  thought.  Towards  younger  men 
he  showed  nothing  of  jealous3',  but  rather  the  heartiest  applause  of 
everything  well  done.  Mr.  Trask  has  shown  the  possession  of  the  great- 
est courage,  such  as  few-  men  attain  to,  in  undertaking  this  great  reform, 
unpopular  as  it  is  and  was.  By  and  Ijy,  if  not  now,  men  will  put  upon 
that  head  the  chaplet  of  heroism.  No  man  can  be  efficient  in  any  re- 
form and  not  arouse  hostility.  In  the  end  it  will  Ik-  shown  that  he  has 
started  a  war  that  shall  tell  of  power  that  has  been  and  power  that  is. 
He  died  gloriously. 

Rev.  A.  P.  Marvin  in  his  brief  tribute  said  : 

The  tendency'  of  reform  is  to  embitter  the  reformer;  but  the  si)irit  of 
George  Trask  grew  sweeter  and  sweeter  as  he  grew  <jlder. 

The  following  just  and  fitting  memorial  to  the  char- 
acter, life  and  work  of  Rev.  George  Trask  was  entered 
upon  the  records  of  the  Middlesex  Union  Association,  at 
a  meeting  held  in  Fitchburg,  March  8,  1875: 


102  Rev.  George   Trask,  the  ""Anti-Tobacco  Apostle'' 

It  having  pleased  God,  our  Savior,  to  call  to  a  higher  service  in 
Heaven,  our  l)eloved  brcHher,  Rev.  George  Trask,  a  member  of  this  as- 
sociation, we,  his  associates  and  fellow-laborers  in  the  ministry,  do  here- 
by express  our  conviction  that  he  was  a  true  man  of  God,  endowed 
with  great  force  of  intellect,  clearness  of  vision  and  strength  of  purpose ; 
a  man  renewed  ])y  the  Holy  Spirit  and  ordained  a  preacher  of  righteous- 
ness of  singular  directness  and  power;  a  real  philanthrojiist,  pure  in 
heart  and  life,  liberal,  genial,  tenacious  of  his  own  views,  but  charitable 
toward  all  men,  magnanimous,  patient  under  scorn  and  reproach,  dis- 
tinguished for  the  love  that  is  "not  easily  provoked,"  but  "endureth 
all  things;"  a  man  of  strong  faith,  who  walked  with  God  in  daily  com- 
munion and  fellowship,  called  by  the  Master  to  a  work  of  reform  in 
which  he  showed  rare  devotion  to  principle,  a  spirit  of  noble  self-sacrifice, 
and  a  dauntless  courage  and  heroism  in  the  support  of  an  unpopular 
cause,  and  in  which  he  died  with  his  hand  still  grasping  the  sword  of 
truth;  a  man  whose  growing  spirituality  and  loyalty  to  Christ  have 
been  more  and  more  manifest  as  he  drew  near  the  end,  and  whose  ten- 
der, fraternal  spirit  has  been  a  source  of  jo_v  to  us  all. 

To  him  the  translation  brings  unspeakable  gain ;  to  us  it  brings  de- 
privation and  loss,  but  not  tears;  for  we  shall  gather  inspiration  from 
his  example  to  finish  our  course  with  joy,  and  the  ministry  which  we 
have  received  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 

We  tender  to  the  family  of  our  departed  brother  our  sympathv  and 
(jur  congratulations — our  sympathy  for  the  pain  which  results  from  the 
Icjss  of  his  presence  and  the  aroma  of  his  piety;  our  congratulations 
that  he  has  won  the  rest  and  the  crown. 

Edwin   K.  Hodgman,  Scribe. 

Let  US  close  this  paper  with  an  epitaph  suggested  b3' 
John  Pierpont,  the  poet.  Riding  in  the  cars  from  Brattle- 
boro,  Yt.,  one  Monday  morning,  Mr.  Pierpont  and  Mr. 
Trask  were  fellow-passengers.  "  What  did  you  do  yester- 
day?" asked  Mr.  Pierpont.  "  I  preached,"  said  Mr.  Trask, 
"to  Baptist  friends  in  the  morning  on  the  text  'Whether 
ye  eat  or  drink,  or  whatsoever  ye  do,  do  all  to  the  glory 
of  God,'  and  showed  them  they  could  not  glorify  God  by 
using  tobacco.  I  addressed  three  Saljliath  schools  at  noon  ; 
showed  the  boys  that  tobacco  tends  to  idleness,  poverty, 
strong-    drink,     vice,    ill    health,     insanity    and    death.      1 


Rev.  George   Tnisk,  the  ''Anti-Tobacco  Apostle.''         103 

preached  to  the  CongregationaHsts  in  West  Brattleboro  in 
the  afternoon  on  the  text  'That  which  is  highl^y  esteemed 
among  men  is  abomination  in  the  sight  of  God  ; '  showed 
them  that  men  highly  esteemed  tobacco,  but  God  abhorred 
it.  I  lectured  in  the  evening  in  the  town  hall  to  a  noble 
bod^^  of  young  men  on  the  destructive  effects  of  tobacco 
in  manifold  respects."  The  poet  uttered  an  exclamation 
of  surprise,  "A  prodigious  worker!"  After  musing  a  mo- 
ment he  said,  "I  will  give  you  your  epitaph."  Then  in  a 
Hudibrastic  sort  of  verse,  which  Mr.  Trask  could  not  re- 
member, he  said  in  sulistance,  this:  "We  have  great  men 
enough,  philosophers  enough,  poets  enough,  geniuses 
enough,  LL.  D.'s  enough,  D.  D.'s  enough;  the  world  needs 
workers;  here  lies  one.     This  is  your  epitaph." 


THE   VERSE  WRITERvS  OF   FITCHBURO, 
PAST    AND     PRESENT. 

Read  at  a  meeting  of  the  Soeiety  October  17,  1S9S. 
BY    HENRY    A.    GOODRICH. 


At  the  solicitation  of  members  of  this  society',  the 
writer  has  undertaken  the  delicate  task  of  collecting  and 
transmitting  specimen  verses  by  Fitchburg  writers,  accom- 
panied in  some  instances  b^^  a  l)rief  liiographical  sketch  of 
the  author. 

It  must  be  apparent  to  every  one  who  gives  the  sub- 
ject a  moment's  thought,  that  the  first  attempt  at  such  a 
compilation  must  fall  far  short  of  completeness.  It  is  like 
going  into  the  fields  in  summer  to  gather  flowers.  How- 
ever varied  and  comprehensive  the  selection,  there  will  still 
be  many  choice  specimens  left  undisturbed. 

It  is  not  unlikely  that  some  authors  of  real  merit,  and 
that  some  "gem  of  purest  ray  serene,"  may  yet  remain 
undiscovered.  If  any  such  are  known,  the  writer  will  be 
only  too  glad  to  revise  this  paper  before  its  final  publica- 
tion. Valuable  assistance  has  been  rendered  l)y  your  sec- 
retary, and  by  Miss  Martha  D.  Tolman,  as  will  ap])car 
later  on. 

As  a  matter  of  local  histor^^  it  is  well  to  recall  even 
the  little  gems  of  thought  which  are  liable  to  be  lost  or 
forgotten.  Wc  rcnicnil)cr  that  Longfellow  once  asked  a 
friend  to  read : 


The  \^ersc  Writers  of  Fitehbnrg.  106 

Not  from  the  grand  old  Masters, 

Not  from  the  bards  sublime, 
Whose  distant  footsteps  echo 

Through  the  corridors  of  Time; 

Read  from  some  humbler  poet, 

Whose  songs  gush  from  his  heart, 
As  showers  from  the  clouds  of  summer, 

Or  tears  from  the  eyelids  start. 

Previous  to  the  establishment  of  the  first  printing 
office  in  Fitchburg,  which  was  in  1830,  there  is  no  record 
of  verse  writing  in  this  locality,  save  a  few  uncouth 
rh3'mes  scattered  here  and  there.  Still,  there  ma^-  be  in 
existence  some  original  poems  which  have  never  been  in 
type. 

The  first  collection  of  local  verse  of  any  consequence 
was  published  in  1831,  in  a  little  magazine  called  The 
Album,  devoted  to  original  tales,  selections  and  poetry. 
During  its  brief  existence  of  less  than  one  3'ear,  there  ap- 
peared poems,  presumabl}'  by  local  writers,  although  none 
of  them  signed  their  full  names.  Two  were  signed  "Uncas," 
but  who  "I'ncas"  was  we  have  not  been  able  to  deter- 
mine. 

The  first  was  an  ode  to  Baron  De  Kalb,  an  enthusias- 
tic German,  who  espoused  our  cause  at  an  early  period  of 
the  American  Revolution.  He  fell  at  the  battle  of  Camden 
in  1780,  receiving  eleven  bayonet  wounds.  MauA'  years 
afterward  Gen.  Washington  visited  Camden  and  inquired 
for  his  grave,  for  there  was  then  no  monument  to  mark 
the  spot. 

After  gazing  in  silence  for  a  few  moments,  he  exclaimed, 
"So  there  lies  the  brave  Baron  De  Kalb — the  generous 
stranger  who  came  from  a  distant  land  to  fight  our  bat- 
tles, and  to  water  with  his  blood  the  Tree  of  Liberty!" 

The  ode  of  "Uncas"  consisted  of  seven  stanziis,  of 
which  the  following  are  the  first  and  second: 


106  The  Verse  Writers  of  Fitclibnrg. 

Sleep  on,  thou  ])ravest  of  the  brave. 
Who  came  from  a  foreign  land  to  save 

From  stern  oppression's  grasp, 
A  few,  that  had  risen  in  their  might. 
And  were  rushing  on  to  the  bloody  fight 

For  sacred  Liberty. 

With  fondness  we  remember  yet, 

The  time  when  our  patriot  fathers  met 

And  laid  the  t^vrant  low. 
When  freemen  rose,  and  side  by  side 
Withstood  the  rushing,  stormy  tide 

That  swept  our  happ_v  shore. 

Another  selection  from  The  Album  has  more  of  local 
interest  at  the  present  time.  It  was  entitled  "Lines  writ- 
ten while  standing  on  the  shore  of  Uncheewalem,"  Ijy 
"  Auvin." 

This  was  the  old  Indian  name  for  what  is  now  Wha- 
lom  lake,  and  were  the  author  living  to-day  he  might 
quietly  seat  himself  l^eneath  the  umbrage  of  Whalom 
park,  instead  of  standing  on  the  shore  as  he  did  when  he 
penned  these  lines : 

Silent  lake,  whose  bland  waters  fret 

And  dash  upon  the  pebbled  shore, 
As  the  ripple  and  the  wave  bear  on 

The  light  boat,  that  is  dancing  o'er 
Thy  bosom  clear — nor  starts  the  tribe 
That  on  thy  surface  noiseless  ride. 

The  fearless  boy  sits  at  the  helm, 

And  onward  guides  his  light,  frail  skiff. 

Lightly  dipping  his  little  oar, 

As  he  steers  for  the  beetling  cliff. 

Where  the  fish-hawk,  with  piercing  e_ve, 

Sits  and  watches  for  the  finny  fry. 

It  is  not  altogether  certain  that  the  author  stood  all 
the  time  while  writing  this  poem,  for  he  says  in  the 
third   verse : 


TJic  Verse   Writers  of  FitcJiburg.  107 

I  love  to  sit  and  gaze  on  thee, 

And  watch  the  Hght  ripple  and  wave. 

That's  wafted  by  the  rising  breeze 
To  the  deep-wooded  banks,  to  lave 

The  rocky  beach,  as  the3'  did  before 

The  white  man  knew  thy  peaceful  shore. 

Then  follows  "The  Phantom  Ship,"  by  "P.  T.  Q.;" 
"The  Days  of  Boyhood,"  by  "Alberto;"  "The  Choice," 
by  "Roscoe;"  "A  Dream,"  by  "  Rolla ; "  "Death,"  by 
"Ilia."  None  of  these  last-named  poems  have  any  local 
or  historic  interest,  and  it  is  hardh'  worth  while  to  repro- 
duce them,  especially  as  there  is  no  clue  to  their  true 
authorship.* 

The  last  contribution  to  The  Album  was  a  clever 
specimen  of  magazine  poetry  by  "  T.  H.  B.,"  entitled  "He 
Came  at  Morn."  This  is  already  published  in  full  in  the 
first  volume  of  the  Proceedings  of  this  societ3\ 

Marj^  Lampson  was  one  of  the  earh"  verse  writers. 
Born  in  Fitchburg,  she  early  in  life  moved  to  Rutland,  Vt. 
Returned  to  Fitchburg  a  short  time  before  her  death, 
which  occurred  Ma^'  11,  1832,  aged  twent^'-five  years. 

Undoubtedly  the  most  extensive  writer  of  poetr3'  who 
ever  lived  in  Fitchburg  was  Augustine  J.  Hicke^^  after- 
wards known  as  Col.  J.  H.  Duganne.  He  was  born  in 
1823,  came  to  Fitchburg  during  his  boyhood,  and  was 
employed  in  the  Sentinel  printing  office.  At  the  age  of  fif- 
teen he  w^as  a  pupil  at  the  F'itchburg  academy,  under  the 
tutorship  of  Cragin  and  Waldo. 


*In  a  bound  volume  of  The  Album,  forinerly  owned  by  Dr.  Oti.s  Abercrombic 
of  Lunenburg,  and  recently  presented  to  this  Society  l)y  his  son,  Otis  P.  .\bcr- 
crombie,  Esq.,  there  are  annotations  in  the  handwriting  of  the  former  owner, 
giving  the  names  of  some  of  the  contributors.  J.  K.  Whitcomb,  the  editor, 
wrote  under  the  assumed  names  of  "Tineas."  "Oscar,"  "Alberto,"  "Roscoe," 
"Rolla,"  and  others.  I.  Porter  Putnam  used  the  jiseudonyms  "  .\uvin,"  ;ind 
"McTrvin."  Mr.  Putnam  was  a  son  of  Isaiah  and  liann;ih  (Cowdin)  Putnam 
of  I-'itchburg.  He  died  in  Havana.  Cuba,  Sept.  10,  l.s;i4.,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
four  years.  J.   V .  D.  G. 


108  The  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJilnirg. 

His  poetic  taste  was  ver3^  early  developed ;  while  3'et 
a  schoolboy  he  commenced  to  write  verses,  some  of  which 
are  still  remembered  by  his  early  schoolmates.  His  first 
publications  were  written  for  the  Sentinel  and  signed 
"Julian,"  but  were  carefully  copied  liy  a  friend  before  the^^ 
reached  the  office,  so  that  not  even  the  pul^lisher  of  the 
paper  knew  the  real  author. 

The  first  of  his  poems  to  attract  public  attention  w^as 
the  following,  published  in  1839,  at  the  age  of  sixteen: 

Hark !  hear  ye  the  sound  that  is  borne  on  the  gale  ? 
And  wot  ye  what  meaneth  that  wild,  ringing  wail? 
'Tis  the  intellect's  groan — 'tis  the  wail  of  the  mind, — 
'Tis  the  clash  of  the  chains  that  the  soul  has  confined. 

Then  on  to  the  rescue — its  call  is  to  thee, 
Arise  to  its  beckoning — arise  and  be  free ; 
Let  the  mists  of  Ignorance  fade  from  our  land, 
And  Bigotry  vanish  at  Freedt)m's  command. 

Let  the  sons  of  New  England  arise  in  their  might; 
Let  them  spread  the  glad  tidings  of  new  coming  light; 
And  over  each  mountain  and  over  each  vale 
Let  the  yeoman's  cry  be  "Education  all  Hail!" 

After  leaving  Fitchburg,  Hickey  went  to  Boston,  hired 
an  office  and  went  into  the  business  of  proof-reading,  in 
connection  with  his  literar3'  work.  He  soon  after,  in 
1844,  published  a  handbook  of  patriotic  songs  and  po- 
ems. He  subsequently-  went  to  New  York  and  was  at  one 
time  connected  with  the  Tribune. 

In  1855  a  large  volume  of  400  pages  of  his  poems 
was  published  by  Farry  &  McMillan  of  Philadelphia. 
The  first  poem  in  this  collection  was  entitled  "The  Mis- 
sion of  Intellect,"  and  was  somewhat  lengthy,  as  were 
many  of  his  publications.  It  opens  with  a  reference  to 
personal  experience,  as  expressed  in  the  following  lines : 

I  was  a  student  in  the  school  of  earth — 
I  was  a  wrestler  in  the  strife  for  gain — 


The  ]^eTse  Writers  of  FitcJilnirg.  109 

Until  a  voice,  which  was  not  of  m^-self, 

Out  led  my  soul  from  life.     My  refluent  thoujjjht 

Upon  the  electric  wires  of  wondrous  sleep 

Had  compassed  the  immeasurable  Past, 

And  journeyed  with  the  Ages! 

These  lines,  with  several  pages  which  followed,  \Yere 
entitled  "The  Vision,"  while  the  closing  stanzas  were 
under  the  head  of  "Aspiration."  In  the  last  verses  are 
summed   up  the   author's  idea   of  the  mission  of  intellect. 

Lo !  the  Thought  is  Man's  redemption — 
Man's  enfranchisement  from  wrong — 
When  the  Earth  to  all  God's  children, 
•  Shall  in  brotherhood  belong — 

And  the  weak  shall  rest  securely 
On  the  bosom  of  the  strong. 

Perhaps  the  most  unique  poem  in  the  collection  is  the 
one  entitled  "  Parnassus  in  Pillory,"  a  clever  satire  of  56 
pages,  in  w^hich  almost  ever^'  prominent  contemporary 
author  comes  in  for  a  share.  For  instance,  this  is  the  way 
he  begins  to  address  James  T.  Fields : 

Ah,  Jimmy  Fields!  thy  verse  I'll  not  berate; 
Bostonia's  Helicon  is  Cochituate ! 
Why  should  we  mourn  in  these  teetotal  times, 
That  water-level  is  the  gauge  of  rhymes  ? 
Rich  are  thy  covers — ink  and  paper  good; 
So  we'll  forgive  the  inside  platitude. 

His  parting  salute  to  Whittier  is  characteristic  of  the 
whole  poem : 

Whittier,  adieu !  my  blows  I  would  not  spare. 
For  whom  I  strike,  I  strike  who  best  can  bear. 
Oft  in  this  rhyme  of  mine  I  lash  full  hard 
The  man  whom  most  I  love  as  friend  and  bard. 

These  two  metrical  essays,  "The  Mission  of  Intellect" 
and  "  Parnassus  in  Pillory,"  are  the  longest  in  this  collec- 
tion.    Several    other    volumes    of   Duganne's    poems    have 


110  The  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJibnrg. 

been    published,   no  less  than    three  of  which    are  in   our 
public  library. 

Some  of  his  shorter  poems  are  more  readable  and 
would  seem  quite  as  meritorious.  For  example,  we  will 
quote  a  verse  from  "Plymouth  Rock." 

Rock  of  Freedom — old  and  hoary — 

Footstool  of  the  Pilgrim  band ! 
Emblem  of  their  toil  and  glory — 

Altar  where  their  children  stand; 
Lo !  we  keep  th^'  name  immortal, 

We  who  own  the  Pilgrim  stock ; 
For  they  marched  through  Freedom's  portal 

O'er  her  threshold — Plymouth  Rock  I  % 

Col.  Duganne  had  a  remarkable  career  from  beginning 
to  end.  The  story  of  his  life  would  need  to  be  consider- 
ably abbreviated  if  one  should  attempt  to  review  it  in  a 
single  evening.  A  prominent  writer  said  of  him  that  his 
lyrical  powers  were  characterized  by  a  nervous  energy,  a 
generous  S3'mpathy  with  humanity,  a  wonderful  command 
of  language,  and  an  ardent  hatred  of  wrong  and  oppres- 
sion in  all  its  forms. 

Perhaps  it  would  be  fitting  to  his  memory  to  quote 
the  last  verse  of  one  of  his  poems : 

Oh!  deck  my  grave  with  tlcnvers ! 
The  cold,  dark  stone  would  weigh  my  spirit  down; 
'Twould  sink  like  Love  beneath  Misfortune's  frown  ; 
But  flowers — sweet  flowers — deep  rooted  in  my  heart, 
Would  have  their  life  in  me,  and  be  of  me  a  part. 

Then  deck  my  grave  with  flowers  I 


One  of  the  earlier  poets  who  resided  for  a  time  in 
Fitchburg  was  Mary  J.  Wetherb}'.  She  was  a  factory  girl 
and  worked  in  the  woolen  mill  in  Factory  square,  now 
one  of  the  Parkhill  mills.  While  here  she  married  B.  F. 
Chapin,  but  did  not  remain  many  years  in  Fitchburg. 


TJic  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJihnrg.  Ill 

One  of  her  poems,  first  published  in  the  Sentinel,  was 
copied  b\'  newspapers  and  magazines  all  over  the  country, 
and  was  very  popular.     It  commenced  in  this  wise: 

Is  it  any  body's  business, 
What  another's  business  is  ? 
It"  it  is  or  if  it  isn't 

I  would  really  like  to  know  ; 
For  we're  certain  if  it  isn't 

There  are  some  who  make  it  so. 

She  was  a  ready  writer,  and  on  one  occasion,  when 
shown  a  picture  of  a  little  girl  who  had  suddenly  died, 
she  wrote  in  a  single  evening  a  memorial  of  five  long 
stanzas,  of  which  the  following  are  the  first  two : 

Sleep  sweetly,  sleep  sweetl}',  thou  beautiful  child, 

Where  the  grass  waves  above  thee  and  flowers  bloom  wild, 

Where  birds  sing  at  evening  their  mellowest  lays, 

Each  rivalling  each  in  their  songs  to  thj'  praise; 

While  angels  at  night  hover  over  thy  head, 

Sleep  sweetly,  sleep  sweetly,  thou  beautiful  dead. 

Sleep  sweetly,  sleep  sweetly,  they  think  of  thee  yet. 
The  hearts  that  have  loved  thee  can  never  forget — 
They'll  hear  thy  light  step  in  the  breeze-shaken  grass, 
When  the  zephyrs  at  eve  bv  the  door-way  shall  pass ; 
Th^-  musical  laugh  will  ring  out  on  the  air, 
'Mid  songs  of  the  birds  making  melod^^  there. 

Like  some  of  her  contemporaries,  she  composed  many 
of  her  verses  while  at  work  at  the  loom.  It  is  said 
that  the  famous  poem  entitled  "Over  the  River"  was 
first  written  on  a  scrap  of  brown  paper  by  Nancj^  A.  W. 
Priest  while  at  work  in  a  mill  at  Hinsdale,  N.  H.,  and 
that  some  of  Lucy  Larcom's  best  poems  were  composed 
while  she  was  a  Lowell  factory  girl. 


Another  of  the  earlier  poets  was  Miss  L.  A.  Beckwith, 
afterwards  Mrs.  L.  P.  Comee.     She  was  a  graceful  writer, 


112  The  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJiburg. 

but  some  of  her  poems   would   indicate  that  her  life  was 
not  alwa3^s  filled  with  sunshine;   for  instance,  the  lines: 

Suns  rise  and  set,  weeks  come  and  pass, 
And  grain  by  grain  in  being's  glass 
In  swift  succession  glides  away. 
Another  week,  another  day, 
An  hour,  perhaps,  the  last  may  tell; 
And  I  am  calm,  nay,  deem  it  well. 
My  weary  heart  so  soon  may  cast 
Its  burden  down,  and  rest  at  last. 

Life's  cup  has  brimmed  too  long  with  tears 

For  me  to  pray  for  lengthened  years ; 

Though  time  may  dry  the  swelling  tide. 

Its  bitter  dregs  would  still  abide 

To  poison  with  a  taste  of  ill 

The  sweetest  draught  life  could  distill. 

One  of  her  best  poems  was  contributed  on  the  occa- 
sion of  the  centennial  celebration  of  Fitchburg,  and  was 
entitled  "Centennial  Song  of  the  Nashua."  It  was  divided 
into  ten  stanzas,  closing  as  follows : 

Change  on  change  beyond  expression, 

Over  all,  in  all  appears. 
Footmarks  in  the  long  procession 

Of  a  hundred  passing  years. 
But  the  same  blue  sky  is  bending. 

Now  as  then,  o'er  hill  and  plain. 
Just  the  same  my  waves  are  tending. 

Ever  constant  to  the  main. 

Mrs.  Comee  died  in  Fitchburg  many  years  ago. 


At  the  centennial  celebration  in  1864  several  other 
poems  were  read,  among  them  one  of  550  lines  by  George 
E.  Towne.  A  quotation  from  the  opening  will  suffice  to 
show  the  general  tone,  the  rhythmic  flow  and  sparkling 
wit,  which  was  characteristic  of  Mr.  Towne's  efforts, 
cither  in  poetr3'  or  prose. 


The  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJibiirg.  113 

'Tvvas  early  morning,  ere  the  lazy  sun 
His  usual  daily  circuit  had  begun ; 
In  eastern  skies  a  narrow  thread  of  light 
Showed  da3'  advancing  on  the  shades  of  night ; 
The  cool  air  through  my  open  windows  poured, — 
My  next  room  neighbor — how  the  fellow  snored — 
While  from  a  thousand  feathered  songsters'  throats 
Came  forth  as  many  sweet  and  varied  notes. 
I  rose  from  bed  and  dressed  myself  in  haste. 
The  glories  of  the  opening  day  to  taste; 
I'd  heard  about  'em  and  I  wished  to  know 
If  all  the  wondrous  things  I'd  heard  were  so. 

Mr.  Towne  was  born  in  Fitchburg  and  lived  here  the 
greater  part  of  his  life.  He  was  a  ready  writer  as  well 
as  a  fluent  and  brilliant  speaker. 


Another  centennial  poem  of  fourteen  verses  was  by 
Stephen  T.  Farwell  of  Cambridge,  a  native  of  Fitchburg. 
The  first  and  last  will  give  a  general  idea  of  its  character 
and  tone : 

How  joyfully  the  pilgrim  greets  the  home  that  gave  him  birth, 
To  join  in  life's  3'oung  morning  the  sunny  spot  of  earth, 
As  from  his  lengthened  wanderings,  his  toils  and  travels  o'er, 
He  enters  the  old  homestead  to  wander  never  more. 

Now  we  give  her  kindly  greeting  and  right  good  hearty  cheer. 
On  rounding  out  so  nobly  her  first  one  hundred  year; 
May  other  centuries  follow,  each  better  than  the  first. 
Until  earth's  drama  ended,  the  curtain  falls  at  last. 

A  H3'mn  of  Thanksgiving  was  also  contributed  to  the 
collection  by  Mrs.  C.  M.  Lowe.  It  was  in  ten  stanzjis. 
We  quote  the  first  and  the  last  two : 

To  the  (jod  whose  hand  iiath  brought  us 

Safely  to  this  blessed  hour, 
Who  hath  guarded,  saved  and  taught  us, 

We  ascribe  all  praise  and  power. 


114  TJic  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJiburg. 

For  tlic  true  and  brave  and  faithful, 

VVhoiii  we  miss  or  mourn  to-day, 
For  the  love  that  brings  them  near  us, 

Let  us  bless  Thee  while  we  pray. 

And  we  leave  our  past  and  future. 

And  the  vears  that  are  to  come, 
In  the  hand  that  holds  our  countr\'. 

And  will  lead  its  children  home. 

Probably  no  person  in  Fitchljurg  was  better  known 
during  his  lifetime,  especially  in  literary  circles,  than  C.  H. 
B.  Snow.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  very  few  of  his  acqitaint- 
ances  were  aware  that  he  ever  attempted  to  write  poetry, 
and  yet  we  find  among  the  contributions  to  this  society 
a  poem  of  nearly  150  lines,  delivered  by  Mr.  Snow  at  the 
silver  wedding  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  C.  Stearns  of 
Boston,  beginning  thus: 

A  second  wedding!     Pray,  good  friends,  how's  this? 

The  former  rite!     Was  aught  in  that  amiss? 

Is  not  the  chain  that  binds  you  still  as  tight  9 

As  five  and  twenty  3'ears  ago  to-night  ? 

"As  five  and  twent}'  years!"     Ah  yes,  I  see 

That  five  and  tw^enty  solves  the  mystery. 

You  bring  us  then  no  flawed  or  broken  chain, 

Asking  our  aid  to  weld  the  links  again; 

Nor  e'en  a  loosened  rivet  asks  our  care, 

So  slight  has  been  the  strain,  ye  peaceful  pair; 

But  here  we  have  it,  sound  in  ever3-  part. 

To  tax  our  skill  in  decorative  art. 

Mr.  Snow  was  a  graduate  of  Harvard  college,  was  at 
one  time  state  senator,  and  delivered  the  principal  address 
at  the  centennial  celebration  of  the  towui  in  1864.  He 
died  in  Fitchburg  September  18,  1875. 


Rev.  William  P.  Tilden,  formerly  pastor  of  the  Unita- 
rian church,  was  an  occasional  writer  of  hymns  and 
poetry.     Although   of   an  earnest  and   serious   nature,   his 


The  Verse  Writers  of  Fitchbiirg.  115 

Avritings  were  often  characterized  by  a  vein  of  humor.     As 
an  illustration,  we  will  take  an  extract  from 

CHILDHOOD    AND    THEOLOGY. 

A  ros^'-cheeked  girl,  with  a  joyous  skip 

.And  a  snatch  of  song  on  her  ruby  lip, 

Was  trundling  her  hoop  on  the  gravelled  way. 

When  a  stranger,  watching  her  wanton  play. 

Lifted  his  finger  as  much  as  to  say, 

"A  word,  if  you  please  I"     She  stopped  stone  still. 

And  tossed  back  her  curls  with  a  will, 

Letting  the  light  of  her  luminous  eyes 

Fall  on  the  stranger  in  sweet  surprise. 

While  with  parted  lips  and  listening  ear 

She  waited  in  wonder  his  message  to  hear. 

"Have  you  found  the  Saviour?"  he  gravely  said. 

She  shook  her  ringlets,  then  dropping  her  head. 

Seemed  turning  the  question  o'er  and  o'er, 

As  one  she  had  never  heard  before. 

Then  sadly  replied,  as  her  hands  she  crossed, 

"  Wh}-,  I  didn't  know  the  Saviour  was  lost." 

Mr.  Tilden  was  a  devout  man,  an  able  writer  and 
withal  a  mechanical  genuis.  A  specimen  of  his  handiwork, 
a  full-rigged  miniature  ship,  may  be  seen  in  the  relic  room 
of  the  Wallace  Library  and  Art  Building.  After  leaving 
Fitchburg,  he  had  for  many  years  a  successful  pastorate 
in  Boston. 


One  of  the  most  fret^uent  contributors  to  the  Sentinel 
in  years  gone  by  was  Mrs.  S.  F.  Parker.  She  seemed  ever 
ready  to  respond  when  occasion  required  and  has  at  dif- 
ferent times  written  some  very  readable  verses.  "  The 
New  Year's  Carol,"  written  January  1,  1877,  has  a  musi- 
cal ring,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following: 

Toll,  toll  the  bell   with  a  parting  knell, 

.■\nd  roll  the  mufllcd  drum, 
.\s  the  niouniers  sweep  in  columns  deep 

With  a  low  and  stifled  hum. 


116  The  Vc7'sc  Writers  of  FiteJiburg. 

But  let  joy  and  light,  with  the  new  3^ear  bright, 

To  every  heart  be  given, — 
We  were  gay  when  '76  was  born, 

We'll  be  gay  with  '77. 

On  the  occasion  of  a  golden  wedding  several  years 
ago,  she  recited  a  poem  of  nineteen  stanzas  which  would 
do  credit  to  writers  of  greater  renown.  Those  which  fol- 
low will  serve  as  an  illustration. 

Our  Fathers'  God!    this  hour  to  thee 

We  lift  our  hearts  in  praise; 
And  thank  Thee  for  Thy  gracious  hand. 

That  guides  in  all  our  wa3's. 

We  thank  Thee  for  the  golden  years. 

So  fraught  with  blessings  rare; 
For  all  Thy  golden  gifts  bestowed, 

For  all  Thy  tender  care. 

They  tell  that  trials  have  l)een  borne, 
That  life's  great  toils  are  nearly  done; 

And  in  the  western  sky  we  see 
Their  sun  in  glory  going  down. 


In  a  little  volume  published  in  1890,  containing  seven- 
teen selections  out  of  more  than  three  score  and  ten  which 
the  author  had  written  during  the  previous  thirty-five 
years,  was  this  introduction  : 

"By  frequent  invitation   to  do   so,   I   now   venture  to 

publish  a  few  selections  of  my  Random  Rhymes 

The  poetic  gift  or  inheritance  is  quite  like  an  intermittent 
spring  which  must  free  itself  when  the  water  has  risen 
to  a  certain  height,  so  this  is  all  I  do: 

I  touch  the  wire  to  Muses'  liell. 
Then  write  the  lay  the  Muses  tell. 

(signed)  Fk.\nk   Newm.vn." 

The  real  author  was  understood  to  be  Mr.  G.  F.  Nut- 
ting.    Mr.  Nutting   was  for  many   3^ears  a  railway  car  in- 


The  Verse  Writers  of  Fitchburg.  117 

spector  in    this   city,    and    was    known   as    the   "Railroad 
poet." 

The  Httle  volume  referred  to  will  be  donated  to  the 
society,  and  we  will  therefore  make  onh'  two  short  selec- 
tions therefrom.     First,  an  album  dedication  : 

To  Friendship  sacred  and  to  thee, 

I  dedicate,  sweet  Memory, 

These  pages  fair.     As  year  on  year 

Shall  roll  away,  perhaps  a  tear 

On  each  memorial  here  enshrined 

Maj'  fall  on  yours,  where  thoughts  refiueii 

I  read  in  autographic  rhymes — 

Whose  love  I  shared  in  olden  times. 

The  "Unseen  Hand"  is  a  poem  of  sixt^'-two  lines, 
from  which  \ve  quote  the  following: 

Is  there  no  unseen,  guiding  hand. 
O'er  all  the  sea,  and  all  the  land, 
Where  sorrow  dwells,  or  pain  or  hliss. 
In  such  a  wicked  world  as  this  ? 
Is  there  no  guiding  hand  unseen, 
Which,  like  a  magnet,  makes  us  lean 
And  draws  our  feet  to  left  or  right. 
In  seeming  doubt  to  heavenly  light  ? 
Is  there  no  guiding  hatul  Divine, 
Which  draws  us  up  tlie  straight  incline, 
From  earthly  toils  and  treadmill  care. 
That  we  may  breathe  a  purer  air. 
And  live  beneath  a  purer  light. 
Quite  near  the  city  out  of  sight? 
Is  there  no  unseen  hand  that  guides 
Tlie  all  wise  ebb  and  flow  of  tides, 
And  guides  tho.se  distant  myriad  spheres 
Which  measure  time  in  willing  years? 

Mr.  Nutting  died  in  this  cit}^  in  1893. 


Another   Fitchburg  mechanic   who   wields  a  ready  pen 
as  a  verse  writer  is  J.  Warren  White. 


118  The  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJiburg. 

Mr.  White  was  born  at  Fairhaven,  Mass.,  graduated 
from  the  high  school  in  that  town,  and  subsequently 
shipped  before  the  mast  on  a  steamship  bound  for  China. 
While  there  he  met  Mr.  John  F.  Haskins,  formerly  of  this 
city,  and  by  him  was  induced  to  come  to  Fitchburg  and 
learn  the  machinist's  trade.  Mr.  White  came  here  in  1864, 
and  has  continued  in  the  employ  of  the  Putnam  Machine 
Company  ever  since. 

Mr.  White's  writings  are  generally  of  a  religious  or 
reformatory  nature,  as  in  the  following  quotation  : 

ENOUGH    OF    SOMETHING. 

To  every  human  soul  in  Nature's  school, 

There  comes  at  times  a  restless  longing 
For  something  that  seems  inexpressible. 

We  think  perhaps  to-morrow's  morning 
Will  bring  within  our  reach  the  longed-for  prize. 

And,  looking  upon  life's  troubled  sea, 
We  watch  each  sail  that  greets  our  strained  eyes. 

But  they  all  pass  by;  "'tis  not  for  thee," 
Is  chanted  by  the  waves  upon  the  shore. 

And  yet  the  soul,  unsatisfied, 
Cries  out  even  louder  than  before 

For  "enough  of  something"  unsupplied. 

The  incident  which  prompted  this  poem  was  as  fol- 
lows :  A  lady  missionary  found  an  aged  woman  living  in 
an  attic,  and  one  day  took  her  to  the  beach  to  spend  an 
afternoon.  When  the  time  arrived  to  go  home,  it  was 
very  hard  for  her  to  leave,  and  taking  one  long  look  at 
the  ocean,  she  exclaimed:  "Oh,  it  seems  so  good  to  see 
enough  of  something." 

Some  (me  wrote  a  poem  for  the  Boston  Transcript, 
of  five  eight-line  stanzas,  entitled,  "  Who  Carries  on  the 
Devil's  Business?"  Mr.  White  wrote  a  reply  (in  the  same 
metre,  with  the  same  number  of  lines  and  stanzas),  affirm- 
ing that  although  the  original  cloven-foot  might  be  ex- 
tinct, the  saloon-keeper  was  his  successor  in  business. 


The  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJiburg.  119 

Mr.  White  is  a  frequent  contributor  to  a  religious 
journal  called  Present  Truths,  as  well  as  to  the  secular 
press. 

Several  clergymen  besides  Mr.  Tilden,  already  men- 
tioned, who  have  sojourned  in  Fitchburg,  have  displayed 
considerable  poetic  talent. 

Rev.  Elnathan  Davis,  for  a  long  time  pastor  of  the 
Trinitarian  church,  in  the  stirring  times  which  preceded 
and  during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  wrote  lines  long  to 
be  remembered. 

For  instance,  at  the  funeral  service  of  Josiah  C.  Trask, 
who  was  killed  at  the  infamous  Quantrell  raid  in  Kansas, 
Mr.  Davis  took  a  sa^-ing  of  Mr.  Trask's,  "I'll  die  for  Kan- 
sas," and  paraphrased  it  for  the  occasion  : 

O,  fateful  prophecy !     O,  fresh  \oung  lips, 

That  uttered  it  half  smiling!     Did  so  drear 
Forecast  of  evil,  like  a  dark  eclipse, 

Blanch  their  bright  bloom  awhile,  as  with  a  mortal  fear? 

"I'll  die  for  Kansas!"     Ay,  and  he  has  died! 

Died  in  the  freshness  of  his  ^-oung  renown. 
O,  reverently,  my  country,  yet  with  pride, 

Give  him  his  well-earned  due,  a  martyr's  name  and  crown! 

Mr.  Davis  was  a  jjractical  reformer,  a  versatile  writer 
and  a  frequent  contributor  to  the  columns  of  the  Sentinel. 


Rev.  W.  H.  Pierson,  for  several  3^ears  pastor  of  the 
Unitarian  church,  has  n  vein  of  poctr}^  in  his  nature,  some- 
times culminating  in  hymns  and  psalms  like  the  following: 

Adowii  the  ages  comes  the  word, 
As  if  from  sacred  lips  of  God ; 
On  earth,  whatever  may  betide. 
Faith,  hope  and  charity  abide. 

And  of  the  holy,  mystic  Three — 
A  true  and  native  Trinity — 


120  The  Verse  Writers  of  Fitchburg. 

Descending  softly  like  a  dove, 
The  greatest  and  the  best  is  love. 

Tongues,  knowledge,  prophecies,  shall  cease. 
Yet  love  abides  in  perfect  peace. 
Voices  of  pride  and  power  shall  quail, 
But  love,  like  God,  shall  still  prevail. 

Mr.  Pierson  had  great  admiration  for  Mrs.  Caroline 
Mason  and  her  poetr3^  He  is  now  pastor  of  a  church  in 
Somerville,  and  is  always  sure  of  a  warm  welcome  when- 
ever he  comes  to  Fitchburg. 


Another  preacher-poet  whose  lines  possess  more  than 
ordinary  merit  is  Rev.  W.  B.  C.  Merry,  first  pastor  of  the 
Highland  Baptist  church  in  this  city.  At  the  time  of  the 
Armenian  troubles  he  wrote  several  spirited  poems,  "Ar- 
menia's Cry,"  "Speak,  America,"  and  "They  Bid  Us  Wait." 
Three  stanzas  of  the  latter  are  herewith  given : 

They  bid  us  wait,  and  while  we  wait 
Christians  are  left  to  Moslem  hate; 
Fire  and  lust,  murder  and  spoil. 
Consuming  life  and  the  fi'uits  of  toil ; 
Wait!    Wait!   they  say.     Why  should  we  wait, 
And  leave  our  brother  to  such  a  fate  ? 

What  excuse  has  the  cruel  Turk, 
To  justify  such  fiendish  work  ? 
Hard  is  his  heart  to  man's  distress; 
Full  is  his  crop  of  wickedness ; 
Far  too  long  has  the  nation  stood, 
Too  long  survived  the  viper  brood. 

Men  of  courage  and  men  of  might. 
Rouse  earth's  governments  for  the  right; 
Speak  with  a  voice  that  must  be  heard. 
Till  sluggish  consciences  are  stirred ; 
And  nations  no  more  their  duty  shirk, 
Hut  rise  and  crush  the  guilty  Turk. 

Mr.  Merry  is  yet  a  young  man  and  occupies  a  Baptist 
puli)it  in  Somerville. 


The  Verse  Writers  of  Fitchbuj-g.  121 

A  familiar  nom  de  plume  among  the  verse  writers  of 
Fitchburg  is  "Elms."  This  combination  is  made  up  from 
the  maiden  initials  of  Mrs.  G.  B.  Hayward.  Mrs.  Ha}'- 
ward  was  the  daughter  of  a  Methodist  clergyman.  She 
graduated  from  the  normal  school  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  and 
was  afterwards  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  S^^racuse. 

Her  first  husband  was  J.  D.  Estabrook,  and  they  came 
to  Fitchburg  in  1868.  Mr.  Estabrook  died  here  in  1871. 
Subsequently  Mrs.  Estabrook  taught  at  the  Day  street 
school  four  and  a  half  years,  and  was  married  to  Mr.  G. 
B.  Hayward  in  1879. 

She  does  not  claim  to  be  a  poet,  but,  to  quote  her 
own  words,  "only  a  song  sparrow  chirping  about  the 
doorways  of  people's  hearts." 

Many,  however,  think  the^^  discern  in  her  writings  a 
true  poetic  instinct.  Take,  for  instance,  her  "Autumn 
Day,"  published  in  1875,  of  which  the  following  are  the 
first  and  third  verses : 

The  brightness  of  God's  glory  lies 

O'er  all  the  quiet  hills; 
The  deep  blue  of  the  sunlit  skies 

With  peace  the  glory  fills ; 
And  dreamy  stillness  of  the  air 
Steals  o'er  the  senses  like  a  prayer. 

The  maples  have  their  living  green 

Dashed  here  and  there  with  flame, 
The  passionate  red  of  suft'ering  keen 

That  has  on  life  a  claim ; 
Vet  brightening  'gainst  the  azure  sheen, 
But  makes  the  blue  more  clearly  seen. 

"The  Land  of  Beulah  "  and  "Looking  Toward  Sunset" 
are  both  touching  and  pathetic,  and  worthy  of  preser- 
vation. 

"My  Edelweiss"  is  a  poem  of  seven  ten-line  stanzas, 
two  of  which  will  suffice  to  show  its  fine  sentiment  and 
rhythmic  grace. 


122  The  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJiburg. 

It  grew  for  me  on  Alpine  heights 

Through  sunshine  and  through  storm, 
Untouched  by  any  chilHng  bHghts, 

Perfect  in  grace  and  form. 
Commended  by  my  Father's  love. 

It  grew,  and  grew,  apace, 
In  sweet  obedience  above 

All  circumstance  or  place, 

Because  its  life  was— just  to  grow, 
Without  its  destiny  to  know. 

It  speaks  to  me,  this  flower  of  white, 

Of  all  my  Father's  care ;  , 

Through  days  of  darkness,  days  of  light, 

In  all  things  everywhere. 
He  chose  for  me  my  daily  life, 

He  put  me  in  my  place. 
His  love  will  keep  through  all   the  strife 

The  perfect  flower  of  grace. 
And  all  7  have  to  do  is  grow 
To  be  like  Him  who  loves  me  so. 

Mrs.  Hayward   is  a  meml^er  of  the  Rollstonc  church, 
and  is  much  interested  in  literary  and  philanthropic  work. 


Another  Fitchburg  writer,  "who  in  the  love  of  Nature 
holds  communion  with  her  visible  forms,"  is  Mrs.  Jose- 
phine E.  Cragin.  The  hills,  the  mountains,  the  woods,  the 
flowers  and  trees,  all  furnish  inspiring  themes  for  her  verse 
and  song. 

Mrs.  Cragin,  daughter  of  Thomas  S.  and  Martha 
(Downe)  Eaton,  was  born  April  7,  1845,  in  West  Fitch- 
burg, in  the  house  where  she  now  resides,  and  where  she 
has  always  lived  except  the  ten  years  following  her  mar- 
riage in  1875,  during  which  time  she  resided  in  Royalston. 
Her  sons  are  the  sixth  generation  which  has  lived  in  the 
same  house,  now  about  110  years  old.  From  the  gram- 
mar school  in   Fitchburg,  Mrs.  Cragin   went  to   the  acad- 


The  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJiburg.  123 

emy  in    Henniker,   N.   H.,   in  which    place  her  nncle,   Rev. 
J.  M.  R.  Eaton,  was  for  many  years  pastor. 

Many  of  her  poems  have  from  time  to  time  been  pub- 
lished in  the  Fitchliurg  Sentinel,  and  some  have  been  copied 
in  other  papers,  notably  the  Congregationalist.  Her  salu- 
tation to  Wachusett,  entitled  "To  My  Mountain,"  is  a 
poem  of  six  stanzas,  three  of  which  will  show  her  appre- 
ciation of  its  never-failing  inspiration : 

As  mom  b^'  morn,  when  the  stars  grow  pale, 

I  turn  to  my  window  to  greet  the  day, 
I  hail  thee,  monarch  of  all  the  vale, 

Touched  with  the  Orient's  earliest  raj' ; 
Proudly  uplifted,  thy  kingly  crest, 
Emblem  of  safety  and  strength  and  rest. 

When  summer  twilight  shadows  throng, 

And  the  pines  loom  dark  on  the  eastern  hill ; 

In  the  lingering  da3-light  the  sparrows'  song 
Gives  place  to  the  call  of  the  whip-poor-will ; 

Then  I  almost  fanc}'  1  hear  the  breeze 

That  circles  among  thy  swaying  trees. 

.\nd  when  sometimes  the  mists  hang  low, 

And  thy  faintest  outline  I  cannot  trace, 
Thou  wert  never  nearer  than  now,  I  know; 

Steadfast  and  sure  thine  abiding  place, 
A  lesson  of  trust  thou  teachest  me; — 
I  believe,  though  I  may  not  always  see. 

Other  poems,  severally  entitled  "The  Birches,"  "The 
Golden  Rod,"  "To  a  Wihow,"  "My  Riches,"  "Under  the 
Snow,"  "Yellow  Foxglove,"  and  "My  Pines,"  all  are 
rhythmical  and  show  a  keen  appreciation  of  the  beautiful 
in  nature. 


During  the  years  since  the  Civil  War,  a  familiar  and 
welcome  figure  at  our  Grand  Army  reunions  and  Memo- 
rial Day  exercises  has  been  that  of  Rose  J.  Sibley,  and  her 
patriotic    and    inspiring    verses    have  always  found    a   re- 


124  I'lic  W'vse  Writers  of  FitcJibiirg. 

sponsive  note  in  the  hearts  of  her  hearers.  Among  the 
poems  written  for  these  occasions  are  "Twenty-six  Years 
Ago,"  "The  Boys  of  Company  B,"  and  "Our  Loyal  Dead." 
From  the  latter  we  take  the  following  extract : 

()  (jlorious  Dead !   whose  souls  went  forth 

Upon  the  battle's  breath, 
Who  never  turned,  though  knowing  well 

The  road  led  unto  death, — 
You  nia^'  not  hear  our  words  of  praise 
Within  your  low,  grass-covered  graves. 
But  ages  yet  to  come  shall  ring 
With  loftiest  praise  that  bards  can  sing. 

Mrs.  Sibley  is  the  wife  of  ex-Alderman  Sidney  Sible}--, 
and  a  descendant  of  the  Gibson  family,  conspicuous  in 
the  early  history  of  Fitchburg. 


Mrs.  Adelaide  L.  Norris  is  better  known  as  a  writer 
of  prose  than  of  poetry.  In  her  twenty  years  or  more  of 
practical  newspaper  work  she  has  interwoven  with  her 
correspondence  some  very  readable  rhymes  such  as  "Ned's 
Christmas,"  "Hidden  Temptation,"  and  "Willie  at  Old 
Orchard."  One  of  her  monthly  letters  to  The  Father 
Mathew  Herald  commences  with  these  lines: 

Cocjuettish  April,  thy  sunny  smiles 

Are  veiled  by  silver  spray ; 
Like  blessings  rich  in  sorrow  set 

To  bring  the  blooms  of  May. 

Mrs.  Norris  is  a  life-long  resident  of  Fitchburg,  and 
has  often   been  called   upon  to   write   for  special  occasions. 


A  well-known  signature  to  local  contributions  in  re- 
cent \'ears  is  that  of  William  M.  Leathe. 

Mr.  Leathe  is  a  native  of  Royalston,  Mass.,  but  came 
to  Fitchburg  in  1842  and  has  resided  here  ever  since.  He 
was  activel3'  engaged   in   business  until   1874,  since  which 


The  Verse  Writers  of  Fitchbnrg.  125 

time   he  has  devoted   a  portion  of  his  time  to  quiet  and 
unobtrusive  work  of  a  philanthropic  nature. 

Among  his  pul^hcations  is  a  Httle  book  of  poems  dedi- 
cated to  "The  love  of  truth  and  righteousness."  "  Charity, 
or  the  Golden  Rule,"  occupies  thirty-three  eight-line  stan- 
zas, in  which  the  sentiments  of  faith,  hope  and  charity 
predominate,  with  "charity  the  greatest  of  the  three." 
Then  follows,  "Who  is  My  Neighbor?"  and  several  other 
poems,  all  of  a  serious  and  reflective  nature,  which  are 
well  characterized  b}^  the  following,  taken  from  the  last 
page  of  the  collection : 

TRUTH     CANNOT    DIE. 

Truth  cannot  die, — 'tis  God's  own  word, 
'Twill  as  an  armor  round  you  gird ; 
For  like  its  Author,  'tis  divine, 
The  more  it's  read,  the  more  'twill  shine. 

Eternal  ages  cannot  dim 

The  lustre  of  its  piercing  eye ; 
For  it  was  born  to  live  with  Him 

Who  did  in  love  for  sinners  die. 


Charles  J.  Quinlan  of  West  Fitchburg  is  a  versatile 
verse  writer,  whose  frequent  contributions  to  the  local 
press  have  attracted  some  notice. 

The  nature  and  wide  variety  of  subjects  chosen  by  this 
writer  make  it  diflicult  to  fairly  illustrate  his  general 
st3de  by  any  brief  quotations.  Perhaps  an  extract  from 
one  of  his  recent  productions  will  best  serve  the  purpose. 
"A  Temperance  Pledge  from  Mother"  was  published  and 
copyrighted  by  Mr.  Quinlan  in  1897,  with  music  arranged 
by  Bartschmidt,  a  copy  of  which  is  donated  to  this  so- 
ciety.    Two  verses  are  as  follows : 

.\t  home  it  hangs  upon  the  wall, 

A  legend  simply  spoken, 
'Twas  given  me  a  guide  to  he, 

A  fond  old  mother's  token. 


126  TJie  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJiburg. 

Many's  the  year  I've  kept  it  dear, 

Many's  the  man  and  brother 
Has  blessed  the  da}^  he  learned  to  say 

His  temperance  pledge  from  mother. 

A  faded  page,  grown  dim  with  age, 

A  gilded  frame  around  it ; 
With  love-knot  true  of  color  blue, 

'Twas  thus  the  dear  soul  bound  it. 
In  writing  plain  I  read  her  name, 

And  by  its  side  another ; 
'Twas  given  me,  a  guide  to  be, 

A  temperance  pledge  from  mother. 

Mr.  Quinlan  was  born  in  Winchcndon  in  1859,  came 
to  Fitchburg  in  1884,  and  with  the  exception  of  one  year 
has. resided  here  ever  since. 


Another  writer  ^vhose  songs  and  verses  have  come  into 
more  recent  notice  is  Ellen  Shepard  Dwinnell,  wife  of  Maj. 
B.  D.  Dwinnell,  the  well-known  deputy  sheriff  and  jailor. 
Her  writings  are  healthful  in  tone,  graceful  in  composition 
and  inspiring  in  sentiment.  Some  of  her  songs  have  been 
set  to  music. 

"The  Ode  of  Greeting,"  sung  at  Rev.  Mr.  Rector's 
tenth  anniversary,  was  well  received,  while  the  "National 
Flower,"  "He  Is  Risen,"  "Spring  Romance,"  and  "At 
Camp-fire,"  are  all  creditable  productions.  "The  Republic" 
is  a  copyrighted  song,  with  original  music,  recently  pub- 
lished by  Mrs.  Dwinnell,  a  copy  of  which  has  been  pre- 
sented   to   this  societ3^ 

A  single  quotation  from  "At  Camp-fire"  will  serve  to 
illustrate  the  patriotic  tone  and  musical  rhythm  of  some 
of  Mrs.  Dwinnell's  poems : 

Let  us  kindle  our  camp-fires,  my  comrades  in  blue. 
With  a  hand  that  is  steady,  a  heart  that  is  true! 
With  a  dream  of  the  past  let  our  spirits  engage. 
As  we  turn  a  leaf  backward  on  memory's  page; 


The  JWse  Writers  of  Fitchbnrg.  127 

At  the  conflict  so  distant — the  deeds  that  were  done — 

At  the  drum-beat  so  muffled — the  victory  won, 

For  still  "shoulder  to  shoulder"  we  "pass  in  review," 

And  we  "close  up  the  ranks"  with  a  few  and  more  few. 

Then  kindle  your  camp-fires,  ni}-  comrades  in  blue. 

With  a  hand  that  is  steady,  a  heart  that  is  true, — 

For  ever  above  us,  our  nation  to  save, 

With  its  stripes  and  its  stars,  our  banner  shall  wave! 


Herbert  Ingalls,  formerly  of  this  city,  is  a  writer  of 
acknowledged  merit.  At  the  dedication  of  the  soldiers' 
monument,  he  wrote  a  poem  of  fifteen  stanzas  for  the  oc- 
casion, the  prelude  beginning: 

Souls  of  dead  soldiers,  pardon  us,  we  pray. 

And,  living  soldiers,  pardon  if  we  lay 

A  leaf  of  j.:;rateful  verse  upon  your  shrine  to-day ! 

The  second  part  was  in  different  metre,  from  which  we 
quote  the  first  and  last  verses: 

The  nation  recounts  the  defenders. 

Who  carried  her  musket  and  blade ; 
To  heroes  her  homage  she  renders. 

To  them  is  this  monument  made; 
But  in  vain  were  the  sculptor's  creation, 

The  tablet,  the  stone  were  in  vain. 
If  we  hold  not  in  fresh  consecration 

The  faith  which  they  fought  to   maintain. 

May  this  monument  stand  for  a  token 

Of  peace  that  was  won  by  the  sword. 
Of  millions  of  manacles  broken. 

Of  Union  redeemed  and  restored  ! 
Though  the  form  of  the  soldier  may  perish 

And  low  in  the  dust  may  go  down. 
The  people  his  record  shall  cherish. 

And  lift  him  to  fadeless  renown. 

He  also  wrote  a  poem  for  the  dedication  of  the  Ingalls 
Librar}'  at  Rindge,  N.  H.,  which  was  read  by  President 
Willis  of  our  society. 


128  The  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJiburg. 

Mr.  Ingalls  is  a  brother-in-law  of  Hon.  Rodney  Wal- 
lace, and  was  for  a  time  one  of  the  trustees  of  our  public 
librar3'.  His  present  address  is  462  Massachusetts  Ave- 
nue, Boston. 


Among  the  newspaper  men  of  Fitchljurg,  there  is  one, 
at  least,  who  may  occasionally  be  found  in  the  poets'  cor- 
ner—John G.  Faxon,  regular  correspondent  of  the  Boston 
Herald  and  local  scribe  of  the  Fitchburg  Sentinel, 

Whose  ever  read}-  pen,  while  taking  notes 
Of  what  the  people  say  and  what  they  do, 
Perchance  at  times  forsakes  the  beaten  track, 
Leaves  the  prosaic  for  the  charmed  line. 

His  report  of  the  proceedings  of  last  Memorial  Day 
commences  as  follows : 

Strew  gentb'  these  memorial  flowers 

O'er  grass-grown  graves  of  noble  dead, 

While  for  these  gallant  sons  of  ours 
Let  our  constant  prayers  be  said. 

The  fathers  died  to  make  men  free 

And  this  glorious  land  to  save; 
Their  sons  as  great  a  mission  see 

And  will  acquit  themselves  as  brave. 

Mr.  Faxon  graduated  at  Adams  academj^  Quincy,  was 
admitted  to  Harvard  college  and  is  an  alumnus  of  the 
Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology.  He  came  to  Fitch- 
burg in  1889,  and  is  well  known  as  a  wide-awake  jour- 
nalist. 


Miss  Martha  D.  Tolman,  to  whom  we  are  indebted 
for  the  accompanying  tributes  to  Mrs.  Mason  and  Mary 
Lowe  Dickinson,  is  a  writer  of  more  than  ordinary  ability. 

A  native  of  Fitchburg,  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Mary 
(Downe)  Tolman,   both  of  Colonial   ancestr\^,  educated  in 


The  Verse  Writers  of  Fitchbnrg.  129 

our  public  schools,  her  writings  are  t^-pical  of  New  Eng- 
land  ideas  and   the  refined   sensibilities  of  literarj'  culture. 

William  Cullen  Bryant  once  said  that  the  elements  of 
poetry  lie  in  natural  objects,  in  the  vicissitudes  of  human 
life,  and  the  emotions  of  the  human  heart.  Judged  b}- 
these  standards,  the  writings  of  Miss  Tolman  possess,  in 
a  marked  degree,  the  quality  of  true  poetry. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  do  justice  to  her  poems  b}^  any 
single  quotation.  Among  the  more  serious  subjects  may 
be  mentioned  her  tribute  to  Charles  Sumner,  to  Henry 
Wilson,  "A  Lost  Summer,"  "Nature's  Worship"  and 
"Rollstone."  Two  stanzas  from  the  latter  will  illustrate 
the  graceful  imager^'  and  beauty  of  expression  which  char- 
acterize all  her  writings. 

Rollstone  mountain,  thee  we  hail, 
Girded  with  th  j  granite  mail ! 
Man}'  a  legend,  story,  song, 
Round  thy  steadfast  grandeur  throng. 
At  thy  feet  our  city  grows ; 
Children  of  th^-  mighty  throes 
Are  our  bridges,  blocks  and  towers. 
Thy  foundations  still  are  ours. 
Still  th}'  busy  hammers  ring. 
Still  thy  lofty  derricks  swing, 
Setting  forth,  by  labor's  hand, 
Untold  wealth,  at  thy  command. 

Da3S  have  come  and  days  have  gone, 
Times  have  changed,  but  thou  liv'st  on. 
O'er  thee  still  the  calm  blue  skies 
Lean;  and  when  the  daylight  dies, 
Starry  hosts  come  forth  to  .see 
Thy  grandeur  and  simplicity. 
.\11  unmoved  when  storms  do  rage. 
Thou  dost  stand,  ancient  of  days. 
Calm  as  when  the  skies  arc  blue, 
.Viul  the  sweet  stars  gaze  on  you. 
Still  be  strength  and  benison, 
Rollstone,  as  the  3^ears  roll  on ! 


130  The  Verse  Writers  of  Fitchbiirg. 

Mrs.  Caroline  A.  Mason's  Poetry. 

By   Martha  D.  Tolman. 

One  summer  afternoon,  sometime  in  the  seventies,  Rev. 
George  Trask  appeared  at  an  open  window  of  the  room 
where  I  was  sitting,  and  in  his  cordial,  brusque  way,  said : 
"  Mrs.  Trask  has  some  friends  visiting  her  whom  she 
wishes  you  to  meet,  one  of  them  especiall}-.  Will  you 
come  this  afternoon,  and  come  earl}'?"  I  proceeded  to 
accept  the  invitation  without  delay,  and  soon  was  with 
the  little  group  gathered  in  Mrs.  Trask's  hospitable  par- 
lor. I  then  learned  that  Mrs.  Mason  was  the  one  whom 
I  was  especially  called  to  meet ;  and,  after  the  formalities 
of  general  introduction,  I  found  myself  seated  by  her  side 
"talking  poetry,"  into  which  we  drifted  at  once,  the  im- 
mediate sluice-way  to  the  drift  being  a  certain  poem  which 
I  had  found  in  the  Congregationalist  many  years  before, 
and  whose  authorship  I  had  only  recently  learned.  It  was 
the  poem  so  familiar  to  all  Mrs.  Mason's  admirers,  be- 
ginning : 

I  had  a  friend  once,  and  she  was  to  me 

What  sunshine  is  to  flowers,  and  song  to  birds. 

She  then  gave  me  a  history  of  the  occasion  of  the 
poem,  which  was  an  intense,  schoolgirl  experience  of  her 
own,  voicing  itself  very  tenderly  in  that  poem,  which,  I 
venture  to  say,  has  gone  into  more  scrap-books  than 
any^  other  she  has  written,  and  it  w^as  one  of  her  earliest. 
That  afternoon  1  have  always  recalled  with  great  pleasure. 
It  was  the  beginning  of  an  acquaintance  that  soon  ripened 
into  warm  friendship,  which  continued  ever  afterwards. 

I  had  heard  much  of  Mrs.  Mason  and  had  read  a  few 
of  her  poems,  which  seemed  to  me  the  living  voice  of  song. 
And  now,  fiice  to  face  with  their  author,  I  found  that  she 


The  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJibnrg.  131 

was  unique  in  her  personality.  She  was  not  mcreh'  a 
poet;  she  was  also  a  philosopher,  as  all  genuine  poets  are. 
The  great  problems  of  humanit}^  vexed  her  righteous  soul 
from  da}'  to  da}-.  The  existing  order  of  things  irked  her, 
often ;  and  she  questioned  in  no  uncertain  wa^'  the  whys 
and  wherefores  of  creation.  Yet  again  and  again  she 
solved  her  difficulties  by  a  song,  as  this : 

Oh,  to  be  wise  and  wisely  use 
Life's  frets  and  hindrances !   to  choose 
The  good  they  yield,  ma}-  make  the  ill 
Subservient  still. 

Through  all  her  doubts  she  kept  her  trust.  To  her 
God  must  be: 

Our  Father,  full  of  grace  and  truth. 

And  veiled  no  more 
In  creeds  unhoh*  and  uncouth. 

Like  those  of  yore. 

She  loved  to  sing  of  freedom  and  peace,  as  did  Whit- 
tier,  whom  she  so  ardently  admired. 

Peace  born  of  freedom  !   priceless  boon. 
Sweet  keynote  to  a  song  shall  soon 
Set  a  discordant  world  in  tune. 

Aside  from  her  contributions  to  magazines  and  papers, 
which  were  many,  two  small  volumes  of  Mrs.  Mason's 
poems  have  been  published,  one  by  Phillips  &  Sampson  in 
1852,  entitled  "Utterance,"  now  out  of  print,  excepting 
such  copies  as  may  be  found  in  various  libraries,  and  one, 
since  her  death,  published  by  Houghton,  Mifflin  &  Co., 
entitled  "The  Lost  Ring,  and  Other  Poems,"  with  an  in- 
troduction by  Charles  G.  Ames.  This  volume  contains  a 
well-selected  collection  of  her  mature  work  and  affords 
examples  of  her  different  styles  of  expression,  from  the 
quaint  and  witty  fables  in  verse  to  the  reverent  strains  of 
sacred  song,  written,  often,  for  occasions,  as  the  hymn  for 
the     bicentennial     of    the     First    Congregational    church, 


132  The  Verse  Writers  of  Fitchbiirg. 

Marblehead,  Aug.  13,  1884,  and  the  familiar  ode  to  Fitch- 
burg,  commencing : 

Nested  among  her  hills  she  lies, 

The  city  of  our  love. 
Within  her,  pleasant  homes  arise ; 
And  healthful  airs  and  happy  skies 

Float  peacefully  aljove. 

Probably  the  most  widely  known  of  all  Mrs.  Mason's 
work  is  that  dear  old  song,  "Do  they  miss  me  at  home?" 
The  tender  words  and  plaintive  music  have  been  sung  In- 
thousands  who  never  knew  that  a  homesick  schoolgirl,  in 
a  sudden  impulse  of  longing,  wrote  them,  and  sent  them 
forth  to  voice  that  longing  for  the  hearts  of  others. 

Mrs.  Mason  was  chiefly  a  w^riter  of  lyrics,  pure  and 
simple,  toned  with  trenchant  truths,  keen  insight  and 
sweet  philosophy.  The  spontaneity  of  thought  in  her 
poem,  "My  Heritage,"  is  charming. 

I  am  not  poor,  I  own  the  seas, 
The  earth  and  all  its  boundaries ; 
These  happy  skies,  that  o'er  my  head 
Serenely  float,  for  me  were  spread ; 
For  me  this  sun  goes  blazing  through 
Its  path  of  light;  for  me  the  dew 
Fills  morn  and  eve  its  chalice  up; 
The  tulip  paints  for  me  its  cup; 
Mine,  every  flower  that  decks  the  glade; 
For  me  the  singing  birds  were  mixde ; 
The  winds  that  blow,  blow  soft  for  me. 
For  mc  they  pipe  their  stormy  glee. 
The  great  woods  hang  their  banners  out 
To  hail  my  coming  thereabout. 

And     thus    she     runs    on    joyfully,     appropriating    the 

wealth   of  Nature's  treasure-houses,   and   at  the  close  she 

cries : 

Dear  Lord,  if  such  the  earthl}'  gauge 
Of  my  immortal  heritage, 


The  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJibnrg.  133 

If  such  the  imperfect  glimpses  given, 
The  faint  forcshadowings  of  heaven, 
The  taste  of  sweets  in  store  for  me. 
What  shall  the  full  fruition  be  ? 

Whatever  she  gave  to  the  world  through  her  poetic 
Muse  made  the  world  better  and  lovelier,  a  place  in  which 
one  might  find  roses  among  thorns  and  springs  in  the  des- 
erts. Life,  she  believed,  must  be  worth  while,  despite  its 
wrongs.  There  must  be  somehow,  somewhere,  an  abso- 
lute right ;  this  was  the  goal  of  her  poetic  effort,  the  acme 
of  her  ambition,  singing  meanwhile : 

No  poet  ever  fully  caught 

Or  fully  uttered  Nature's  thought. 

The  stream  flows  sweeter  than  the  lay 

Sung  in  its  praise ;  the  rosy  day 

Is  fairer  than  was  ever  told 

63-  bard  sublime,  or  minstrel  bold. 

Mrs.  Mason  was  eminentW  quotable.  Her  style  was 
clear  and  graphic.  Her  inspirations  seemed  to  come  in 
what  Plato  called  "lyric  glances,"  that  flashed  into 
thoughts  of  beauty.  At  times  she  was  capable  of  spiritual 
sculpture,  building  word  pictures  with  facile  skill. 

She  found  her  subjects  lying  in  wait  for  her  in  various 
walks,  as  if  pleading  for  the  voice  of  her  tuneful  lyre  to 
bring  them  in  touch  with  the  world.  Religion,  philosoi)hy, 
love,  legend,  and  Nature's  full  phalanxes,  all  were  the  loyal 
devotees  of  her  Muse,  and  seemed  to  reach  a  waiting  hand 
to  be  acknowledged  so.  In  short,  she  was  in  good  com- 
radeship with  her  poetry,  loved  it  as  her  life;  of  which  it 
was  a  part,  and  a  very  large  part. 

Fitchburg  gladly  accords  to  Mrs.  Miison  the  first  place 

among  her  verse  writers.     She    has    been    identified    with 

nearly   a   half-century   of   its  growth,    and    she   has   phiced 

songful    tributes  all  along    the   way ;   tributes   which,   like 

all   high-souled   work,   abound   in  the  elements  of   hclpful- 
10 


134  The  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJiburg. 

ness.  Solace,  cheer  and  encouragement  ring  through  her 
poetr^^  Hke  clear-toned  evangels.  Truly  has  she  affirmed 
in  the  opening  lines  of  her  "Ode,"  read  at  the  dedication 
of  the  Wallace  Library,  "Ah,  what  a  ti'easury  of  wisdom 
lies  in  a  good  book!" 


Mrs.  Mason  was  born  in  Marblehead,  Mass.,  July  27, 
1823,  daughter  of  Dr.  Calvin  and  Rebecca  (Monroe)  Briggs. 
She  was  a  student  at  Bradford  Academy.  She  came  to 
Fitchburg  in  1852.  In  1853  she  was  married  to  Mr. 
Charles  Mason,  a  law^yer  of  this  city.  Their  only  son.  Dr. 
Atherton  P.  Mason,  is  also  of  this  city.  She  died  June  13, 
1890. 

At  that  time.  Miss  Tolman  wrote  a  poem  of  six  stan- 
zas, of  which  the  following  are  the  first,  third   and  last: 

We  mourn  for  her ! 

Hushed  is  her  tuneful  lute ; 
And  music's  airy  voice  sobs,  and  is  still, 
Finding  no  chord  responsive  to  its  will 

Since  hers  is  mute. 

We  mourn  for  her ! 

Words  woven  sweet  and  calm 
Enshrined  her  place  in  poetry's  domain; 
Guerdon  for  joy  she  gave,  and  l^alm  for  pain, 

In  lyric,  song  and  psalm. 

Why  mourn  for  her  ? 

Wide  stand  the  gates  of  morn ; 
Ilcr  laurel  flushes  on  the  summer  hills; 
Her  robins  trill  above  the  dimpling  rills; 

For  her,  'tis  dawn,  'tis  dawn! 


MARY  LOWE  DICKINSON, 

One  of  Fitchl)urg's  verse  writers,  is  better  known  as  a 
philanthropic  worker  and  a  writer  of  prose  than  as  a 
writer  of  verse.     Yet,  a  little  l)()ok  of  her  poems,  collected 


The  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJiburg.  IBo 

from  various  periodicals  and  published  in  1876,  entitled 
"Edelweiss,  an  Alpine  Rhyme,"  gave  her  a  sure  passport 
to  Parnassus  Land. 

This  book  takes  its  name  from  the  first  poem  in  the 
collection,  a  tender  story  of  two  children  and  the  Al])ine 
flower.  Her  simply  brief  dedication  is  as  follows:  "In 
memor}^  of  the  loving  kindness  that  has  welcomed  them 
one  by  one,  the  author  dedicates  these  verses  to  the 
friends  at  whose  request  the^-  have  been  gathered  together." 

The  poems  are  characterized  by  deep  feeling,  oftentimes 
by  deep  solemnit}'  and  tenderness.  The  eas}'  rhythmic 
tone  is  alwa3's  apparent,  proof  that  she  was  "To  the 
manor  born."  Two  poems  on  "Venetia,"  written  in  \'en- 
ice  in  the  years  1865  and  1866,  and  also  "The  Bells  of 
Lynn,"  resound  with  this  musical  quality. 

"The  Bells  of  Lynn,"  written  on  reading  Longfellow's 
"Bells  of  Lynn"  in  Rome  is,  perhaps,  the  masterpiece  of 
the  collection.  The  brief  poem,  "Endurance,"  strikes  ten- 
derly one  of  the  keynotes  of  life : 

For  deeps  of  human  suffering 

Or  joy,  no  measure 
Into  our  hands  is  given; 
We  cannot  know  our  brother's 

Loss  or  treasure, 
His  anguish  or  his  lieavcii. 

Ullliines  the  arrowy  sharpness 

Ot"  a  sorrow, 
Piercing  life's  common  cahn, 
Smites  hidden  rocks  of  comfort, 

Which  to-morrow 
O'erflow  with  heaHng  l)ahn. 

The  poem,  "If  we  had  but  a  day,"  is  a  general  favor- 
ite and  has  been  published  again  and  again.  It  was  writ- 
ten on  the  river  Xile,  with  a  soap  box   tor  a  desk. 


136  TJic  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJiburg. 

IF    WE    HAD    HUT    A    DAY. 

Wc  should  fill  the  hours  with  the  sweetest  things 

If  we  had  but  a  da}-; 
We  should  drink  alone  at  the  purest  springs 

In  our  upward  way; 
We  should  love  with  a  lifetime's  love  in  an  hour 

If  the  hours  were  few ; 
We  should  rest,  not  for  dreams,  l)ut  for  fresher  power 

To  ])e  and  to  do. 

We  should  guide  our  wayward  or  wearied  wills 

B3'  the  clearest  light ; 
We  should  keep  our  e^'es  on  the  heavenly  hills 

If  they  lay  in  sight. 
We  should  trample  the  pride  and  the  discontent 

Beneath  our  feet; 
We  should  take  whatever  a  good  God  sent 

With  a  trust  complete. 

Wc  should  waste  no  moments  in  weak  regret 

If  the  day  were  but  one ; 
If  what  we  remember  and  what  we  forget 

Went  out  with  the  sun ; 
We  should  be  from  our  clamorous  selves  set  free 

To  work  or  to  pray, 
And  to  V)e  what  the  Father  would  have  us  be 

If  we  had  but  a  day. 

Her  little  work  abounds  in  passages  of  truth  and 
affection.  It  seems  to  have  been  her  sacred  urn,  where  she 
placed  and  kept  her  joys  and  griefs,  her  questionings  and 
trusts;  which  have,  in  turn,  Ijeen  the  strength  and  solace 
of  many  another. 

Mrs.  Dickinson,  whose  maiden  name  was  Mary  Caro- 
line Underwood,  was  born  in  Fitchburg,  and  received  her 
earh'  education  in  the  Fitchburg  schools.  She  is  remem- 
bered b^^  her  teachers  and  classmates  as  a  most  studious 
pupil,  giving  evidence  even  then  of  more  than  ordinary 
ability  along  literary  lines. 


The  Verse  Writers  of  FitcJibiirg.  137 

She  taught  nine  years  in  Fitchburt^,  winning  the  de- 
voted love  and  high  esteem  of  her  pupils.  She  continued 
her  work  as  an  educator  in  Boston,  Hartford  and  New 
York,  giving  for  publication,  meanwhile,  poems,  stones, 
critical  and  biographical  essays,  and  one  novel,  entitled 
"Among  the  Thorns."  This,  with  editorial  work  and 
many  important  offices  of  trust,  have  rendered  her  life  full 
of  activity  and  usefulness. 

While  in  New  York  she  was  married  to  Mr.  John  M. 
Dickinson.  Then  came  a  sojourn  of  several  years  in 
Europe.  Since  the  death  of  Mr.  Dickinson  she  has  resided 
in  New  York  cxty.  She  is  general  secretary  of  the  organi- 
zation of  "The  King's  Daughters,"  still  devoting  her  time 
to  philanthropic  and  literary-  work. 


In  conclusion  I  desire  to  saA'  that  we  have  tried  to 
make  this  record  of  the  verse  writers  of  Fitchburg  as  full 
and  accurate  as  possible. 

If  any  important  omissions  are  known,  the  writer  will 
be  very  grateful  for  such  information. 

A  city's  wealth  lies  not  in  lands  alone, 

But  in  the  thoughts  her  poets  make  our  own. 

These  home  selections,  clad  in  simple  rhyme. 

Add  to  our  records  many  a  precious  line. 

Such  thoughts  are  treasures;  and  our  thanks  belong 

To  those  who  weave  them  into  verse  and  song. 

Maj'  future  writers  whom  the  Muse  shall  crown 

Bring  to  our  city  no  less  fair  renown. 


ADDENDA. 

Since  this  paper  was  read  before  the  society',  the 
writer's  attention  has  been  called  to  the  fact  that  Rev. 
and  Mrs.  L.  W.  Spring  and  Rev.  and  Mrs.  D.  D.  Hudson, 
while  temporarilv  residing  in  Fitchl)urg,  were  occasional 
verse  writers. 


138  The  ]\rsi-  Wrifers  of  FitcJibnrg. 

Mrs.    Alfred    Miller,    Mrs.    Stephen    Shepley    and    Miss 
Lizzie  Kenney  arc  credited  in  like  manner. 

Note. — At  the  conclusion  of  the  reading  of  the  foregoing  paper,  Sec- 
retary J.  F.  I).  Garfield  called  attention  to  Mr.  Goodrich's  own  verse 
writing,  giving  an  extract  from  one  of  his  earlier  poems,  and  in  conclu- 
sion read  the  following  brief  note,  handed  him  by  one  who  during  the 
evening  had  been  an  interested  listener  to  the  reading: 

"It  is  important  to  add  that  the  gentleman  who  has  carefulh'  pre- 
pared and  read  this  paper  on  '  The  Verse  Writers  of  Fitchburg,'  has 
failed  to  'include  one  name,  and  that  is  his  own.  Under  the  circum- 
stances, however,  the  omission  is  pardonable.  Moreover,  the  pleasant 
stanza  at  the  close  of  the  paper  gives  a  cue  to  the  truth  of  the  asser- 
tion that  he  belongs  to  the  guild. 

"Mr.  H.  A.  Goodrich  is  best  known  as  our  poet  of  occasions,  his 
ready  pen  having  furnished  a  '  feast  of  reason  and  flow  of  soul '  for 
many  a  social  banquet  in  our  cit}',  as  the  Merchants'  Association,  the 
Board  of  Trade  and  others  can  testify.  Also,  as  a  writer  of  prose,  he 
has  contri))uted  valuable  historical  papers  to  the  archives  of  this  society. 

"Thus,  as  a  business  man,  emulating  the  example  of  Samuel  Rogers, 
the  London  banker  poet,  and  also  that  of  our  New  York  poet,  Edmund 
Clarence  Stednian,  he  has  caught  from  the  demands  of  a  busy  business 
life  time  to  wield  the  magic  pen  of  the  muses,  to  the  delight  of  literary 
society. 

"J^ot  having  access  to  a  collection  of  Mr.  Goodrich's  poems,  we  must 
beg  his  permission  simply  to  add  his  name  to  this  schedule  of  verse 
writers  as  the  poet  of  occasions." 


GEOLOGICAL   FEATUREvS  OF  FITCH HURG. 

Read  at  a  meeting  of  the  Society  February  20,  1899. 
BY    EMORY    ADAMS    HARTWELL. 


Upon  everything  in  nature,  whether  animate  or  inani- 
mate, the  Creator  has  left  the  imprints  of  his  handiwork ; 
and  it  is  manifestly  evident  to  one  who  can  interpret  these 
imprints  how  and  in  what  order  all  things  were  created. 
Since  everything  in  this  universe  is  governed  b^'-  unchang- 
ing laws,  it  follows  that  as  we  study  these  imprints,  more 
and  more  light  comes  to  us  as  regards  the  history  of  crea- 
tion ;  for  creation  is  not  finished ;  it  is  unending.  Whether 
we  take  the  mineral,  the  vegetable  or  the  animal  king- 
doms ;  w^hether  we  search  with  microscope  among  the 
lowest  forms  of  life;  or,  more  aspiring,  turn  our  telescope 
upon  the  suns  and  nebuhe  in  the  starrj'  heavens ;  ever\'- 
where  are  these  imprints  of  the  Creator's  work.  And  in 
every  department  of  investigation  we  may  say  with  Kepler, 
after  he  had  discovered  his  laws  in  reference  to  the  solar 
system,  "I  have  been  reading  the  thoughts  of  God." 

There  are  imprints  in  tlie  vegetable  world  to  tell  how 
far  the  stems  of  plants  grow  each  year;  imprints  to  mark 
the  annual  deposition  of  wood ;  imprints  to  tell  in  what 
manner  they  secure  their  nourishment.  And  man  also  has 
these  imprints,  in  the  form  of  rudimentary  organs,  as  the 
appendix  vermiformis,  a  source  of  trouble  to  mankind, 
In'podermic  muscles,  by  which  the  scalp  and  ears  may 
be    moved,   etc.,   etc.,    which    organs,   whether    he    will    or 


140  Geological  Features  of  FitcJiburg. 

whether  lie  will  not,  relate  him  to  the  lower  classes  and 
orders  of  animals.  The  facts  that  the  sun  rotates  on  its 
axis  from  west  to  east ;  that  all  the  planets  and  planet- 
oids revolve  from  west  to  east;  that  they  with  their 
moons  rotate  in  the  same  direction ;  that  all  these  heav- 
enly bodies  are  in  one  plane;  that  they  are  of  the  same 
chemical  composition ;  are  a  few  of  the  imprints  left  by 
the  Creator  in  the  solar  system.  These  imprints  show  to 
us  how  the  solar  system  was  brought  to  its  development 
from  an  incandescent  gaseous  condition  to  a  white  hot 
state,  then  to  a  red  hot  state,  and  finalh'  to  its  present 
form.  The  earth  has  not  lost  all  of  its  original  heat,  as 
is  shown  by  hot  springs,  geysers,  earthquakes  and  volca- 
noes. And  to  show  that  this  is  the  true  process,  the  tele- 
scope reveals  other  nebulae  going  through  the  same  changes 
through  which  the  earth  has  passed. 

Thus  we  find  these  imprints  ever3'^where,  and  especiall3^ 
in  the  vegetable  and  animal  kingdoms,  showing  how  akin 
the  individuals  of  each  kingdom  are  to  one  another  and 
how  akin  the  lowest  forms  of  both  kingdoms  are  to  each 
other.  And  it  is  to  the  imprints  of  the  Creator's  handi- 
work existing  in  the  rocks  and  hills  of  Fitchburg  that 
this  essay  owes  its  existence. 

Let  us  first  glance  at  the  surface  features  of  Fitchburg. 
An  observer  at  the  railroad  station  finds  himself  in  a  val- 
ley extending  south ;  proceeding  up  Main  street,  he  fol- 
lows a  valley  running  in  a  northwest  direction,  which  at 
the  upper  common  divides,  one  part  following  Mechanic 
street  north ;  the  second  following  River  and  Westminster 
streets  west.  From  some  elevation,  as  RoUstone  hill, 
which  is  composed  of  granite,  he  observes  Mt.  Wachusett 
and  Mt.  Watatic;  the  dome-shaped  hills,  namely,  Cowdin 
hill  in  West  Fitchburg  and  Gen.  Wood's  hill  off  Pearl 
street;  and  also  the  flat-topped  sand  hills  with  rcgularh- 
sloping  sides,  whose  tops  are  all  at  nearly  the  same  level ; 


Geological  Features  of  Fitchbnrg. 


141 


for  example,  Laurel  hill,  those  on  Oak  Plill  avenue,  two 
near  the  Star  Worsted  mill,  and  several  in  West  Fitch- 
burg.  A  view  from  Mt.  Vernon  hill,  composed  of  mica 
schist,  discloses  a  range  of  hills  extending  north  and 
south,  consisting  of  Hale,  Mt.  Vernon,  Pearl,  and  Rattle- 
snake ledges,  to  the  eastward  of  which  is  a  broad,  deep 
valley  as  far  as  the  e3'e  can  reach,  with  dome-shaped  hills 
therein ;  while  the  narrow  Mechanic  street  valley  lies  close 
upon  the  western  side  of  these  hills.  Whence  these  hills? 
Whence  these  vallej's?  are  the  natural  questions  of  any 
thoughtful  observer.  We  have,  then,  to  account  for  the 
mica  schist  hills,  the  granite  hills,  the  flat-topped  sand 
hills,  the  irregular  sand  hills  and  the  lenticular  ckiy  hills. 

MICA    SCHIST    HILLS. 

Observation  conclusively  shows  that  the  rock  under- 
h'ing  Fitchburg  and  the  surrounding  towns  is  mica  schist. 
Therefore,  as  the  line  of  hills,  including  Pearl  hill,  is  com- 
posed of  mica  schist,  the^^  were  the  first  to  be  formed. 
The  strata  of  mica  schist,  BS,  Fig.  1,  in  any  of  these 
hills  form  an  angle  of  45  degrees  with  any  horizontal  line, 
as  HL,,  viz.,  the  angle  BHL,  and  the  strata  pass  from 
the  surface  of  the  ground  into  the  earth  toward  the  west. 


Fig.  1. 


142  Geological  Features  of  Fitchbnrg. 

This  angle  of  45  degrees,  together  ^Yith  the  point  of 
the  compass  toward  which  the  strata  pass  into  the  earth, 
is  called  "dip."  On  the  dividing  line  between  Lunenburg 
and  Townsend,  where  the  ledges  of  mica  schist  are  again 
above  the  surface  of  the  earth,  the  strata  have  a  dip  of 
4-5  degrees  to  the  east.  We  will  call  these  strata  the  Line 
Ledges.  These  strata  when  formed  were  horizontal  and 
continuous,  as  are  all  strata  deposited  hy  water.  There- 
fore if  we  restore  what  is  missing  by  continuing  the 
strata  in  the  westward  dip  to  the  east,  and  those  in  the 
eastward  dip  to  the  west,  we  shall  have  the  original  form, 
which  is  called  a  fold.  Here,  then,  between  Fitchburg  and 
Lunenburg  was  an  immense  fold  several  miles  broad  and 
many  miles  long,  for  it  has  been  traced  far  into  New 
Plampshire  and  Connecticut. 

At  West  Fitchburg,  on  Dempsey  hill,  about  No.  700 
Westminster  Hill  road,  the  mica  schist  has  a  dip  of  45 
degrees  to  the  east  {WS,  Fig.  1).  This  eastw^ard  dip,  TFv9, 
with  the  westward  dip  of  Pearl  hill,  BS,  makes  a  letter  V, 
and  the  strata  are  said  to  form  a  "syncline."  This  sjm- 
cline,  which  is  the  lowest  point  in  a  series  of  folds,  in 
part  accounts  for  the  Mechanic  street  valley.  The  west- 
ward dip  of  Pearl  hill,  ABS,  and  the  eastward  dip  of  the 
Line  Ledges,  ACL,^  make  a  letter  A,  and  the  strata  are 
said  to  form  an  "anticline,"  w^hich  is  indicated  at  A  by 
dotted  lines.  An  anticline  is  the  highest  portion  in  a  series 
of  folds  and  the  apex  of  this  anticline  was  half-way 
between  Fitchburg  and  Lunenburg.  North  of  Westmin- 
ster Center  the  mica  schist  has  a  dip  to  the  west,  which 
gives,  with  the  eastward  dip  in  West  Fitchburg,  a  second 
fold  passing  through  our  city. 

Let  us  now  look  for  the  cause  of  this  folding.  It  is  a 
universal  law  that  all  bodies,  as  they  radiate  heat,  become 
less  in  size.  The  earth  has  radiated  and  is  radiating  its 
heat,  and  consequently  its  diameter  htis  constantly  grown 


Geological  Features  of  FiteJiburg. 


143 


less  and  less  and  is  still  slowly  dccrcasin<j.  This  shrink- 
in^J^,  which  produces  lateral  pressure,  is  the  cause  of  the 
foldinc;^.  The  accompanying  figure  will  illustrate.  AB  rep- 
resents a  stratum  of  rock  in  the  earth's  crust  when  the 
earth  was  of  greater  diameter  than  to-day.  When  the 
earth  has  shrunk,  so  that  the  arc  AB  must  occupy  the 
arc  Z>E,  inasmuch  as  it  cannot  shrink  in  length  sufficiently^ 
to  accomplish  this  result,  it  must  bend  or  fold,  something 
as  a  sheet  of  pasteboard  is  folded  to  place  it  in  a  smaller 
receptacle.  When  the  arc  AB  has  reached  the  position  FG 
the  folds  will  be  steeper,  the  anticlines  higher,  the  synclines 
more  depressed.  In  this  manner  has  been  formed  :  First, 
the  two  continental  folds  and  the  two  oceanic  depressions; 
second,  our  mountain  ranges,  one  fold  making  a  range 
and  several  parallel  ranges  making  a  system ;  and  many 
hills  to-dav  are  the  remnants  of  mountain  folds. 


Fig.  2. 


This  first  fold  has  been  cut  through  by  the  present 
country  streams.  Monoosnoe  brook  separates  Monoos- 
noc  hill  from  Mt.  Elam ;  the  Naukeege  river  has  made  the 
valley  between  Hale  hill  and  Mt.  Vernon  hill ;  Falulah 
brook  separates   Pearl  hill  from    Mt.   Vernon   hill;    Lord's 


144  Geological  Features  of  FitcJiburg. 

brook,  Pearl  hill  from  Rattlesnake  ledges ;  while  Willard 
brook,  aided  by  Trapfall  brook  and  Locke  brook,  sepa- 
rates Rattlesnake  ledges  from  Juni])er  hill. 

Of  the  second  fold,  Mt.  Watatic,  Mt.  Hunger  and  Mt. 
Wachusett  are  the  highest  points,  being  the  anticline; 
while  Blood,  Jewel,  Buck  and  Bean  Porridge  hills  are  rem- 
nants of  the  eastern  slope  of  this  second  fold,  just  as  the 
hills  of  the  Pearl  Hill  range  are  the  remnants  of  the  west- 
ern slope  of  the  first  fold.  Who  will  answer  the  perplex- 
ing question  why  the  anticline  of  the  second  fold  remains, 
while  the  anticline  of  the  first  fold  has  been  removed,  even 
to  the  making  of  the  deep  valley  between  Fitchburg  and 
Lunenburg  ? 

Granting  that  the  strata  in  Pearl  hill  and  the  Line 
ledges  in  Lunenburg  are  the  same  strata,  it  is  possible  to 
ascertain  the  altitude  of  the  fold.  From  the  top  of  the 
anticline.  A,  drop  a  perpendicular  upon  the  base,  BC,  D 
being  a  right  angle  in  each  of  the  triangles,  ABD  and 
ACD ;  and  B  and  C  each  being  45  degrees  (which  is  the 
dip  of  the  strata),  there  are  then  45  degrees  in  each  of 
the  angles  at  A.  The  tw^o  triangles  are  then  equal  in  all 
respects.  Therefore  AB  and  BD  are  ecjual  sides,  being 
opposite  equal  angles.  BD  is  one-half  of  BC.  That  is, 
the  height  of  this  fold  is  one-half  of  the  distance  from 
Pearl  hill  to  the  Line  ledges.  If  this  distance  is  three 
miles,  the  height  of  the  fold  was  one  and  one-half  miles; 
if  five  miles,  then  the  altitude  was  two  and  one-half  miles. 
It  is  evident,  therefore,  that  Pearl  hill  is  the  remnant  of 
Pearl  mountain. 

If  Pearl  mountain  w^as  tw^o  and  one  half  miles  high, 
what  has  become  of  it  ?  It  has  been  worn  away  by  the 
agents  of  nature  and  carried  to  the  ocean,  there  to  be 
formed  into  sandstone  and  mudstone,  slate,  for  future 
ages.     It  is  probable  that  the  wearing  down  of  this  fold 


Geological  Features  of  FitcJibiirg.  145 

has  been  nearh^  equal  to  the  rising  and  in  reality  the  apex 
of  the  fold  never  was  two  and  one-half  miles  high,  but 
had  no  material  been  worn  off,  the  apex  of  the  anticline 
w^ould  be  of  the  height  stated. 

One  of  the  first  agents  to  begin  this  process  of  w^ear- 
ing  is  water.  All  ledges  of  whatever  composition  are 
filled  with  minute  seams,  joints,  or  fissures  caused  b}-  cool- 
ing, shrinking,  some  twisting  of  the  earth's  crust,  expan- 
sion of  summer's  heat,  contraction  of  winter's  cold,  and 
earthquakes.  Into  these  minute  seams  the  water  finds  its 
v^ay  hy  capillar3^  attraction  and,  when  it  freezes,  since  it 
expands  one-seventh  of  its  bulk,  it  brings  upon  the  ledges 
great  pressure,  which  in  time  removes  fragments,  called 
boulders.  Frost  works  on  these  boulders,  breaking  them 
into  smaller  ones,  until  sooner  or  later  the^-  reach  some 
stream.  At  flood  time  the  w^ater  in  the  stream  rolls  and 
slides  them  along,  breaking  oif  pieces  here,  wearing  away 
particles  there,  till  the  quartz  in  their  composition  is  re- 
duced to  sand  and  all  the  rest  of  their  material  is  ground 
to  mud. 

A  second  agent  is  the  ox^^gen  of  the  air,  which  is  ever 
at  work  forming  new  combinations  of  those  which  already 
exist.  One  of  the  most  familiar  is  the  changing  of  iron 
pyrites,  a  3^ellow  mineral,  into  iron  oxide,  which  being 
soluble  in  water,  leaves,  after  its  evaporation,  its  light  and 
dark  brown,  its  reddish  and  yellow  stains,  wherever  the 
water  has  percolated.  Every  pebble  when  freshly  broken 
exhibits  a  bright  surface  surrounded  by  a  colored  border 
of  more  or  less  width,  caused  by  the  action  of  the  ele- 
ments and  hence  called  weathering. 

Another  agent  in  this  destruction  consists  of  mosses 
and  lichens.  The}-  need  no  soil,  for  they  live  on  the  air 
and  water.  But  the  organic  acids  made  by  their  decay 
rot  the  rock  and    make  it  easier  for  other  agents   to  wear 


146  Geological  Features  of  FitcJiburg. 

it  awa3\  The  wind,  blowing  sand  over  the  ledges,  con- 
tri1)utes  its  mite  to  the  general  destruction  and  the  up- 
building of  future  rocks. 

But  perhaps  the  most  powerful  agent  is  a  glacier.  As 
it  moves  with  its  irresistible  force  slowly  down  the  moun- 
tain side  and  through  the  valleys  among  the  foothills,  it 
is  ever  broadening  and  deepening  its  rocky  bed.  Who  can 
fully  estimate  the  tremendous  force  of  ice  one  mile  in 
breadth,  miles  in  length,  hundreds  of  feet  in  thickness,  as 
urged  on  by  the  force  of  gravity  Glided  b}'  the  pressure  of 
the  ever-accumulating  snow  on  the  mountain  tops  ?  Boul- 
ders wrenched  from  the  mountain  sides,  frozen  into  the 
bottom  of  the  glacier,  are  reduced  to  mud,  if  softer  than 
the  bed  rock ;  but  if  harder  than  the  bed  rock  the  latter 
is  smoothed,  polished  and  grooved,  or  may  be  entirely 
removed ;  if  the  boulders  are  too  large  to  be  entireh'  re- 
duced, they  too  are  smoothed,  polished  and  grooved  on 
one,  or  several,  or  all  sides.  North  America,  north  of  the 
Syth  parallel,  is  full  of  these  polished  surfaces,  smoothed 
pebbles,  erratic  boulders,  and  other  glacial  evidences. 

The  question  as  to  the  origin  of  the  valleys  may  now 
be  answered.  The  Mechanic  street  valle^-^  is  the  original 
syncline  deepened  by  the  action  of  the  glacier,  which  viilley 
Falulah  brook  has  made  still  deeper  near  the  ice  i)ond. 
The  valley  following  River  and  Westminster  streets  is  due 
to  the  erosion  of  the  various  streams  therein — Naukeege 
river.  Whitman's  river  and  W3nTian's  brook.  The  wide 
valle}^  east  of  the  Pearl  Hill  range  has  been  eroded  by 
glacial  action  to  the  dejjth  of  600  feet   below   High   Rock. 

Another  question  which  will  .sureh'  arise  and  by  some 
is  as  (luickly  suppressed,  is.  How  long  did  it  take  to  wear 
away  this  mountain  and  produce  these  valleys  ?  We  must 
now  have  a  measuring  stick,  and  of  all  the  measuring 
instruments  for  calculating  even  approximately  geologicid 
time,  the  following  is  perhaps  the  simi)lest : 


Geological  Features  of  Fitchbnrg.  147 

The  Mississippi  jetties  have  ever  been  a  constant 
source  of  trouble  to  navigation  and  commerce.  Messrs. 
Humphrey  and  Gilbert,  civil  engineers  in  the  employ  of  the 
government,  were  sent  to  ascertain  how  much  sediment 
was  carried  in  one  year  by  the  Mississippi  river  into  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico.  They  made  an  accurate  cross-section  of 
the  river  and  calculated  its  area;  kept  a  truthful  record 
of  the  height  of  the  water  and  its  velocity,  found  the 
amount  of  sediment  in  a  gallon  of  water  at  different 
times  of  the  3-ear  and  in  different  places  in  this  cross-sec- 
tion. Lastly,  the  average  sediment  in  one  gallon,  multi- 
plied by  the  average  number  of  gallons  flowing  hy  this 
cross-section,  would  give  the  amount  of  material  carried 
into  the  gulf.  It  amounted  to  a  mound  250  feet  high, 
one  mile  in  length  and  one  mile  in  breadth.  Have  we  any 
idea  how  much  material  this  is  ?  To  aid  the  mind  to  real- 
ize this  amount  of  material,  let  us  build  a  mound  out  of 
sand  of  equal  dimensions.  Driving  one  stake  at  the  upper 
common,  the  mile  in  breadth  will  not  be  far  from  the 
junction  of  Summer  and  Lunenburg  streets.  From  this 
line,  measuring  at  right  angles  thereto,  the  mile  in  length 
will  not  be  far  from  the  junction  of  Rollstone  and  Mt. 
Elam  streets.  Here,  then,  is  the  surface  one  mile  square 
on  which  to  build  our  mound.  How  long  would  it  take, 
with  a  wheelbarrow  and  Fitchburg's  sand  banks,  to  put 
on  one  la3^er  a  foot  thick  ?  And  then  24-9  additional  lay- 
ers must  be  placed  thereon  to  l)uild  the  whole  to  the 
required  height,  250  feet;  ;.  e.,  two  and  one-half  times  the 
number  of  feet  from  Academy  street  to  the  ball  on  top  of 
the  flagstaff  of  our  high  school.  Geologists  now  appro- 
priated this  fact  and  spread  this  material  over  the  entire 
Mississippi  river  basin.  They  found  that  it  made  a  layer 
of  material  one  five-thousandth  of  a  foot  in  thickness; 
/.  t'.,  the  Mississippi  river  and  its  tributaries  were  wearing 
down  its  basin   one  five-thousandth  of  a  foot  in  one  vear. 


148  Geological  Features  of  Fitchbnrg. 

If  one  five-thousandth  of  a  foot  is  worn  off  in  one 
year,  a  foot  would  be  eroded  in  five  thousand  years,  and 
that,  too,  in  a  region  of  Hmestone,  much  more  easily  acted 
upon  than  New  England's  granite  hills. 

But  we  will  take  this  less  measuring  stick  and  com- 
pute the  time.  Five  thousand  two  hundred  and  eighty 
feet  in  one  mile  and  five  thousand  years  to  wear  away 
one  foot  will  give  for  the  erosion  of  one  mile  twenty-six 
million  four  hundred  thousand  years.  If  Pearl  mountain 
was  two  and  one-half  miles  high  we  have  sixty-six  mil- 
lion years  for  the  period  of  erosion.  And  those  competent 
to  judge  state  that,  from  New^  England,  material  to  the 
depth  of  from  two  to  three  miles  has  been  worn  away  by 
nature's  agents.  It  matters  not  whether  Pearl  mountain 
was  raised  and  then  worn  away,  or  whether  it  was  \vorn 
away  nearl}^  as  fast  as  raised,  w^hich  is  more  probable,  the 
period  of  time  in  which  to  accomplish  the  erosion  remains 
the  same. 

Does  it  seem  incredible  ?  Let  one  more  fact  add  its 
testimony.  Greylock  mountain  is  a  syncline,  /.  e.,  its  strata 
form  a  letter  V  (Fig.  1,  S).  The  top  of  Greylock  was 
therefore  at  one  time  the  lowest  land  in  that  vicinit^^ ;  now 
its  summit  is  the  highest  land.  What  time  must  have 
elapsed  to  wxar  down  the  lofty  folds  above  it  and  then 
erode  the  valle3^s  so  as  to  leave  that  which  w^as  the  low- 
est point  the  highest  point  of  today? 

Not  to  have  an\^  misunderstanding  let  the  remark  here 
be  made  that  it  is  but  a  few  thousand  years,  fifteen  to 
twenty,  that  man  has  been  upon  the  earth;  and  he  has 
been  able  for  about  six  thousand  years  to  transmit  his 
thoughts  by  tradition  and  writing;  while  it  has  taken 
millions  of  years  to  prepare  and  fit  the  earth  for  his 
advent. 


Geological  Features  of  FitcJiburg.  149 

THE    GRANITE    HILLS. 

It  has  been  hinted  in  what  has  thus  fiir  Ijecn  said  how 
some  rocks  are  formed,  namely,  in  the  ocean,  by  the  pres- 
sure of  the  water,  the  internal  heat  of  the  earth,  and 
such  cements  as  cla^^  mud,  oxide  of  iron,  and  calcium  car- 
bonate. Pebble  stones,  conglomerates,  are  thus  formed 
very  near  the  seacoast ;  sandstones  still  further  from 
shore;  mudstones,  slates,  still  further;  while  limestones 
which,  when  crystalized,  are  called  marble,  are  found  in 
the  depths  of  the  oceans.  But  this  does  not  account  for 
granite.  Among  the  rocks  first  formed,  when  the  earth 
was  cool  enough  to  have  a  crust,  were  granites.  Now  is 
Rollstone  this  first  formed  granite,  or  is  it  of  later  forma- 
tion ?  Here  also  are  the  imprints  of  the  Creator's  handi- 
work to  determine  its  origin. 

In  imagination  let  us  view  the  mica  schist  ledges  in 
Albee  pasture  and  near  South  street.  The  dip  is  45  de- 
grees to  the  West.  On  Milk  street  extension  the  dip  has 
increased  to  65  degrees  and  the  rock  is  more  compact. 
On  Walton  street  the  dip  is  75  degrees  and  the  mica  schist 
is  very  compact.  On  Rollstone  street  the  dip  is  85  de- 
grees. As  we  pass  up  Pratt  road  we  find  mica  schist 
until  at  the  top  of  the  rise  w^e  find  granite  for  a  rod,  then 
on  the  w^est  side  of  the  granite  is  the  mica  schist.  It 
would  seem,  then,  as  if  Rollstone  came  up  between  the 
mica  schist  strata. 

Two  questions  present  themseh^es,  the  answer  to  which 
will  throw  light  on  Rollstone's  formation.  What  has 
thrown  the  lowest  ends  of  these  strata  eastward  ?  W' hat 
has  made  the  mica  schist  more  compact  ?  It  is  some  pres- 
sure which  has  caused  this  displacement  of  the  strata  and 
rendered  the  mica  schist  more  compact.  Whence  came 
this  pressure  ?     It  is    Rollstone  granite  thrown  from   the 

earth's  interior  b}'  the  internal  forces  thereof,  in  between 
n 


150  Geological  Featiires  of  Fitchburg. 

the  strata  of  mica  schist.  Rollstone,  then,  is  made  not  by 
a  folding  of  the  earth's  crust,  but  by  an  injected  mass  of 
molten  rock,  like  Mt.  Tom  and  Mt.  Holyoke,  but  not  of 
black  or  brown  material  like  these  mountains.  This  mol- 
ten material,  if  cooled  quickly,  is  black  or  brownish  black, 
and  is  called  trap-rock,  as  in  the  Palisades  of  the  Hudson 
and  in  the  d3'kcs  of  our  New  England  coast.  If  cooled 
very  slowly,  so  as  to  form  crystals,  it  will  forin  granite. 
Rollstone  probably  never  reached  the  surface  of  the  earth 
and,  thus  covered  so  completely  by  the  mica  schist,  cooled 
slowly  and  its  heat  and  pressure  made  the  adjacent  mica 
schist  more  compact.  It  is  the  erosion  of  the  surface  ma- 
terial which  has  exposed  Rollstone  granite  to  view. 

In  the  quarries  of  Rollstone  will  be  seen  nearly  verti- 
cal cracks  or  joints  of  a  rust-brown  color.  These  are 
formed  by  the  cooling  of  the  molten  mass,  or,  as  others 
affirm,  by  some  twisting  of  the  earth.  The  presence  of 
iron  pyrites  and  oxygen  are  responsible  for  the  color  of 
these  joints.  Other  seams  are  found  following  the  contour 
of  the  surface,  close  together  near  the  top,  but  farther  and 
farther  apart  as  the  depth  increases,  making  wider  and 
wider  layers  of  granite.  This  is  due  to  expansion  of  sum- 
mer's heat  and  contraction  of  winter's  cold. 

The  boulder  on  Rollstone,  even  a  casual  observation 
will  show,  is  not  of  Rollstone  granite.  Its  oblong  w^hite 
crystals  of  feldspar,  its  large  seams,  and  abundance  of 
iron  sulphide,  to  say  nothing  of  minor  differences,  fully 
prove  this.  It  is  one  of  the  erratic  boulders  brought  by 
the  last  glacier  and  left  in  its  present  location.  The  gran- 
ite under  the  boulder  is  smoothed  by  the  ice  and  has 
been  kept  from  being  weathered.  The  boulder  was  cer- 
tainly one  hundred  miles  farther  north,  for  ledges  of  the 
same  composition  and  structure  are  found  in  central  New 
Hampshire — Bradford  and  Warner — and  to  the  north  and 
west    of    these    places;    at    the    foot  of   which    ledges  are 


Geological  Features  of  FitcJiburg.  151 

many  large  and  small  boulders  which  the  water,  freezing 
in  their  coarse  seams,  has  easih'  forced  off.  We  are  indeed 
grateful  to  the  person  or  persons  \vhose  kindness  and 
generosity  have  cemented  the  joints  of  the  Rollstone  boul- 
der to  keep  out  the  water,  and  who.  to  prevent  further 
disintegration,  have  bound  it  with  an  iron  band. 

SAND    HILLS. 

The  remaining  hills,  whether  of  cla^',  sand,  or  gravel, 
are  of  glacial  origin,  and  are  the  result  of  the  last  great 
glacier,  which  covered  all  of  North  America  as  far  south 
as  the  39th  parallel,  if  not  the  entire  northern  part  of  the 
globe.  As  alread}^  stated  the  smoothed  sides  and  polished 
surfaces  of  all  our  rocky  hills ;  erratic  boulders,  wrenched 
from  their  native  ledges  and  transported  southward,  some 
to  the  extent  of  five  hundred  miles;  the  striae,  scratches, 
and  grooves  of  our  ledges  sufficiently  prove  the  existence 
of  such  a  glacier. 

THE    PEARL    HILL    POT-HOLE. 

Another  evidence  of  the  glacier  is  the  pot-hole  at  Pearl 
hill  and  the  remnants  of  others  near  b^^  A  pot-hole  is  a 
cylindrical  excavation  in  rocks.  It  is  made  by  water  giv- 
ing to  small  pebbles  a  rotary  motion,  which  wears  down 
into  the  ledge.  They  are  found  mostly  in  granite  ledges. 
Mica  schist  ledges,  as  at  Pearl  hill,  are  too  easily  broken 
to  preserve  intact  the  pot-hole,  should  the  water  in  Scott, 
Falulah,  or  Lord's  brooks  succeed  in  making  one;  because 
the  water  freezing  therein  during  winter  would  break 
away  the  friable  mica  schist  and  thus  destroy'  the  pot- 
hole. This  pot-hole  was  formed  wdien  the  mica  schist  of 
Pearl  hill  was  held  firmly  in  place  by  the  glacier  and  thus 
preserved. 


152  Geological  Features  of  Fitchburg. 

CHANGING    OF    RIVER    COURSES. 

Another  evidence  of  glaciers  is  the  causing  of  rivers  to 
abruptly  change  their  courses.  The  Merrimac  river  once 
pursued  a  southeasterly  course  to  the  sea.  This  is  proved 
hy  striking  the  old  river  bed  when  deep  foundations  are 
laid.  Architects  and  contractors  come  upon  ledges  worn 
by  water  and  marked  with  pot-holes  in  towns  to  the 
southeast  of  Lowell.  But  the  glacier  so  completelj'  and 
so  firmly  filled  this  old  bed  with  its  debris,  that  the  Mer- 
rimac was  forced  to  flow  northeasterly.  The  same  is 
true  of  the  Nashua  and  other  rivers.  When  was  this 
glacier?  Croll,  in  his  "Climate  and  Time,"  teaches  that 
it  began  two  hundred  and  forty  thousand  years  ago, 
lasted  one  hundred  and  eighty  thousand  years,  and  ended 
its  career  sixty  thousand  years  ago.  Other  authorities 
say  nothing  about  its  beginning  nor  its  duration,  but 
state  that  it  ended  from  ten  thousand  to  thirty  thousand 
years  ago,  and  also  claim  that  man  fled  southward  before 
it.  The  following  is  one  proof  of  finding  when  the  glacier 
receded.  Wright,  in  his  "Ice  Age  in  North  America,"  gives 
conclusive  proofs  that  a  river  ran  from  the  vicinity  of  the 
Strait  of  Mackinaw,  flowing  southeast,  then  east,  and 
united  with  the  present  St.  Lawrence  river  at  Kingston. 
This  ancient  Laurentian  river  bed  was  filled  with  debris, 
and  the  water,  once  flowing  through  it,  now  finds  its 
way  to  the  ocean  through  Lakes  Huron,  Erie  and  Onta- 
rio. The  Niagara  river  was  thus  formed,  which  has  made, 
since  the  glacier  melted  away,  its  gorge  seven  miles  long 
through  the  hard  limestone  strata.  The  time,  therefore, 
which  it  has  taken  Niagara  river  to  erode  this  chasm 
marks  the  disappearance  of  the  ice.  In  seven  miles  there 
are  thirt3^-six  thousand,  nine  hundred  and  sixty  feet,  which 
we  will  call  thirty-seven  thousand  feet.  If  Niagara  wears 
aw^ay  one  foot  per  year,  thirty-seven  thousand  j^ears  have 


Geological  Features  of  FitcJibiirg.  153 

elapsed  since  the  ice  disappeared ;  if  half  a  foot  per  3'ear, 
sevent3^-four  thousand  years;  if  two  feet,  eighteen  thou- 
sand, five  hundred  years.  It  is  thus  evident  that  geologi- 
cal time  can  be  found  but  approxiniatel3\  Mr.  Croll  bases 
his  statement  on  the  ellipticit\^  of  the  earth's  orbit,  and 
also  concludes  that  this  last  glacial  epoch  was  the  third 
to  have  passed  over  the  earth's  surface. 

The  ice  in  this  last  glacier  was  certainly  a  mile  in 
thickness,  for  the  sides  of  Mt.  Washington  were  scratched, 
which  is  over  six  thousand  feet  high.  Who  will  say  how 
much  thicker  it  was  ?  But  let  us  see  what  would  be  the 
weight  and  consequently  the  pressure  of  ice  a  mile  thick 
upon  one  square  foot  of  soil.  A.  cubic  foot  of  water 
weighs  sixty-two  and  one-half  pounds.  Ice  has  a  specific 
gravity  of  ninety-two  hundredths,  and  a  cubic  foot  of  it 
would  w^eigh  fifty-seven  and  four-tenths  pounds.  Hence  a 
column  of  ice  one  mile  high  and  a  foot  square  would 
weigh  303,072  pounds,  or  150  tons.  A  glacier  of  this 
pressure  will  aid  in  interpreting  our  clay  hills  called  drum- 
lins. 

CLAY    HILLS. 

Gen.  Wood's  hill  is  a  typical  drumlin.  Its  dome-shaped 
appearance,  its  long  north  and  south  axis,  its  short  east 
and  west  axis,  are  familiar  to  all.  It  looks  as  if  made  of 
clay,  so  compact  is  its  material;  but  when  this  material 
is  worked  over  and  sorted  by  water,  it  is  found  to  consist 
of  pebbles,  sand  and  clay.  It  is  supposed  to  have  been 
formed  in  the  following  manner.  As  the  glacier  advanced 
it  pushed  the  soil  in  front  of  it,  until  the  soil  became  such 
a  solid  mass  that  it  could  ])e  pushed  no  farther;  then  the 
glacier  slid  over  it,  pressing  it  with  its  hundred  and  fifty 
tons'  pressure  to  the  square  foot  into  its  present  compact 
form,  while  its  motion  lengthened  its  north  and  south 
axis  and  gave  it  its  dome-shaped   appearance.    Other  clay 


154  Geological  Features  of  Fitchburg. 

hills  are  Cowdin  and  Smith  hills  in  West  Fitchburg;  the 
hill  near  Mr.  Abram  Lawrence's;  several  near  Wright's 
ponds ;  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city  farm ;  while  Lunen- 
burg has  a  very  large  number  of  them.  They  are  some- 
times called  lenticular  hills,  and  may  always  be  told  by 
their  dome-shaped  form. 

FLAT-TOPPED    SAND    HILLS. 

Some  of  our  sand  hills  have  a  level  top  and  their 
sides  slope  down  at  an  angle  of  thirty  to  forty-five  de- 
grees. Two  hills  near  the  Star  Worsted  mill,  several  in 
West  Fitchburg,  near  the  church  of  the  Sacred  Heart, 
more  near  the  Fitchburg  Steam  Engine  Works,  and  Laurel 
hill,  have  these  characteristics.  How  they  came  into  ex- 
istence may  readily  be  seen  from  watching  a  stream  of 
water  carrying  sand  when  it  flows  into  a  large  pool  of 
water.  This  may  be  observed  in  any  unpaved  ditch  by  the 
roadside  during  a  rain  storm.  In  this  observation  we  no- 
tice that  the  velocity  of  the  stream  being  decreased,  the 
sand  is  deposited,  and  as  a  result,  when  the  water  has 
evaporated  or  soaked  into  the  earth  there  is  a  miniature 
hill  level  on  top  and  its  sides  sloping  at  an  angle  of  thirty 
to  forty-five  degrees.  The  conclusion  is  evident  that  the 
valley  of  the  Nashua  was  filled  with  water  to  the  depth 
of  several  hundred  feet,  /.  e.,  somewhat  above  the  level  of 
the  tops  of  these  present  hills.  It  is  an  interesting  fact  to 
notice  that  all  of  these  flat-topped  hills  have  nearlj^  the 
same  height. 

IRREGULAR-SHAPED    SAND    HILLS. 

To  fully  explain  the  formation  of  other  hills  composed 
more  or  less  of  sand  and  gravel,  let  us  trace  one  of  the 
long,  winding  ridges  of  gravel,  known  as  eskers,  passing 
through   our  cxty.    Beginning  on  the  Ashby  road  a  short 


Geological  Features  of  FitcJibiirg.  155 

distance  north  of  the  Richardson  road,  this  ridge  crosses 
the  former  road  to  the  west;  then,  after  making  a  grace- 
ful curv^e,  sweeps  across  this  road  to  the  southeast,  nearly 
to  the  Fisher  road;  thence  south,  under  Mr.  Goodspeed's 
house,  where  it  takes  a  southwesterly  direction ;  it  winds 
down  the  hill  to  Mr.  Holden's  house  at  the  junction  of 
the  Ashbj*  and  Fisher  roads ;  thence  following  Mechanic 
street  for  some  forty  rods,  it  passes  to  the  southward 
and  eastward,  through  Mr.  Putnam's  pasture.  Although 
washed  awa^'  in  several  places,  the  esker  through  this 
pasture  is  well  marked  and  well  preserved.  Here  it  is 
joined  by  another  esker  which  comes  from  the  east  side  of 
Pearl  hill.  The  next  place  where  it  ma^'  be  easily  seen  is 
near  the  ice  houses  at  Putnam's  pond,  where  North  street 
extension  cuts  through  it.  Still  southward,  crossing  the 
Pearl  Hill  road  into  the  woods,  where  it  is  well  preserved, 
back  to  this  road,  underh'ing  East  street,  it  may  be  seen 
on  Lunenburg  street  near  the  Fitchburg  Steel  Ball  Co.'s 
shops;  on  through  St.  Bernard's  cemeterv,  where  its  width 
is  considerably  increased,  it  approaches  Summer  street, 
from  which  street  one  may  get  a  side  view  of  it,  with  Mr. 
Woodbury's  house  on  its  summit.  It  crosses  Summer 
street,  and  when  it  reaches  the  river  it  suddenly  ends,  for 
which  abrupt  termination  the  waters  of  the  Nashua  river 
are  responsible,  since  it  has  washed  all  the  material  awav ; 
but  between  Baker's  pond  and  the  repair  shops  of  the 
Fitchburg  railroad  the  end  is  seen  again  in  bold  relief, 
from  which  point  it  has  been  followed  by  high  school 
pupils  studying  geolog}^  two  miles  into  Leominster,  and 
Mr.  Robert  Davis  of  that  town  has  traced  it  entirely 
through  that  township. 

This  winding  ridge  of  sand  and  gravel  marks  the 
position  of  an  ancient  glacial  stream,  which  may  have 
flowed    on  the    surface    of   the    glacier,   or  beneath  it,   or 


156  Geological  Features  of  FitcJibnrg. 

within  it.  The  Muir  glacier  of  Alaska  has  two  rivers  of 
water  flowing  from  it,  about  half  way  from  top  to  bot- 
tom; every  glacier  has  a  stream  of  water  flowing  from 
beneath  it,  and  tourists  find  streams  of  water  on  the  sur- 
face of  glaciers  in  the  Alps.  The  ridge  may  be  explained 
as  follows :  A  river  of  water  flowing  on  the  surface  of  a 
glacier  would  melt  the  ice  and  thus  lower  its  bed  therein. 
Sand  and  gravel,  of  which  there  is  plenty  in  a  glacier, 
would  accumulate  in  this  bed.  Occasionally  the  river 
would  broaden  into  a  large  lake.  Here  the  finest  of  the 
sand  would  be  deposited.  This  material  collects  till  it 
reaches  the  depth  of  fifty  to  one  hundred  feet,  more  or 
less,  according  to  attendant  circumstances.  When  the  ice 
is  entirely  melted  away,  this  accumulated  gravel  and  sand 
must  rest  on  the  earth  as  a  ridge.  Having  been  formed 
high  above  the  hills  explains  why  these  eskers  run  up  hill, 
as  at  Mr.  Goodspeed's;  the  river  did  not  flow  up  hill;  on 
the  surface  of  the  ice  it  had  the  gradual  descent  as  rivers 
on  the  land  to-day,  and  its  course  may  have  been  over  a 
hill.  Consequently  on  the  melting  of  the  ice  the  accumu- 
lation of  gravel  would  rest  where  the  river  passed. 

Precisely  as  the  folds  of  the  earth's  crust  are  worn 
into  peaks  by  the  natural  forces,  so  are  these  ridges  of 
sand  worn  into  hills.  A  few  are  worthy  of  mention: 
First,  at  the  junction  of  West  Main  and  Caldwell  streets; 
second,  at  the  junction  of  the  Ashln-,  Rindge,  and  Fisher 
roads;  third,  at  the  junction  of  Pearl  street  with  Towsend 
and  Marshall  roads;  fourth,  the  winding  hill  in  the  pas- 
ture bounded  by  Pearl,  East,  and  Townsend  streets;  fifth, 
between  River  street  and  Wallace  road  near  West  street; 
sixth,  near  the  old  district  No.  8  schoolhouse  in  W^est 
Fitchburg.  It  would  seem  from  terraces  farther  down  the 
valley  of  Baker's  brook  that  the  Nashua  once  flowed  over 
the  land  now  known  as  the  riding  park  through  Baker's 
pond,   and  this  would   account  for  the  great  gap  in   this 


Geological  Features  of  Fitchburg.  157 

ridge  between  Mr.  Woodbury's  house  and  the  repair  shops 
of  the  Fitchburg  railroad. 

As  to  these  ponds  upon  the  surface  of  the  ice  in 
which  the  finest  sand  is  deposited,  they  now  are  marked 
bj'  elevated  sand  plains.  One  exists  between  Pearl  Hill 
road  and  Townsend  road,  and  Wyeth's  pond  lies  in  the 
northern  portion  of  it. 

It  may  be  asked  how  this  excavation  for  Wyeth's 
pond  was  made.  And  the  answer  will  explain  the  exist- 
ence of  Wachusett  lake.  Lake  Walden,  Whalom  pond,  and 
a  large  number  of  other  ponds  in  Massachusetts.  They 
are  known  as  kettle-holes.  One  without  water  therein 
exists  to  the  northeast  of  St.  Bernard's  cemetery.  Their 
formation  is  due  to  large  masses  of  ice  at  the  breaking  up 
of  the  glacial  epoch  becoming  grounded,  and  as  it  melted 
the  sand  and  debris  would  slide  down  its  sides,  forming 
ridges  of  considerable  height  around  it.  When  the  ice  w^as 
entirely  melted  there  would  be  left  this  depression.  Lake 
Walden  is  a  typical  illustration  of  this  process,  showing 
the  depression  surrounded  b\^  its  high  sand  ridges.  Wachu- 
sett lake  shows  the  ridges  on  the  north  and  west  shores, 
those  on  the  south  and  east  sides  having  been  destroyed 
by  the  surface  water  from  the  sides  of  Mt.  Wachusett. 

The  question  in  reference  to  our  hills  may  be  thus 
summed  up.  All  the  mica  schist  hills  are  due  primarily  to 
the  folding  of  the  earth's  crust  and  the  subsequent  erosion 
of  ice  and  water  as  the  principal  agents.  All  our  granite 
hills  are  masses  of  injected  materials  slowly  cooling.  Our 
dome-shaped  hills  of  clay  were  formed  beneath  the  glacier, 
their  long  axis  showing  the  direction  in  w^hich  the  glacier 
moved.  Our  irregular  sand  hills  are  the  remnants  of 
ridges  formed  on  the  surface  of,  or  within,  the  glacier,  and 
mark  the  course  of  glacial  rivers.  These  hills  the  present 
country  streams  have  modified.  Our  flat-topped  sand  hills 
are    formed  by  sand  bearing    streams  flowing    into  some 


158  Geological  Features  of  Fitchburg. 

large  body  of  water,  which  thus  lose  their  velocity  and 
deposit  their  sand. 

Such  in  brief  is  the  history  of  the  surface  geolog3^  of 
Fitchburg.  How  interesting,  how  broadening,  how  en- 
nobling is  the  study.  The  awe  of  the  student  of  nature 
is  awakened  and  his  reverence  is  called  forth  as  step  by 
step  he  approaches  the  garment  hem  of  Cause.  When  he 
views  the  history  of  creation  as  revealed  in  the  heavens 
to-day,  endeavors  to  comprehend  the  immense  size  of  the 
suns  in  space  and  the  vast  distances  between  them,  con- 
templates the  history  of  life  as  recorded  in  the  pages  of 
nature's  stone  book  and  reads  the  pages  therein  now  being 
written,  he  realizes  how  insignificant  a  being  he  is,  while 
on  the  other  hand  he  realizes  the  dignit^^  of  mankind, 
since  man  alone  is  possessed  of  an  intellect  capable  of 
comprehending  in  part,  if  not  in  full,  the  plan  and  mean- 
ing of  the  universe,  and  for  this  reason  he  realizes  that  he 
is  the  offspring  and  counterpart  of  the  Divine,  and  stands 
ever  in  the  presence  of  his  Maker. 

Some  poet  has  concisely  put  the  whole  story  in  the 
following  stanza: — 

"  A  fire  mist  and  a  planet, 

A  crystal  and  a  cell, 
A  jelly  fish  and  a  saurian, 

And  caves  where  the  cave  men  dwell: 
Then  a  sense  of  law  and  beauty, 

And  a  face  turned  out  of  a  clod ; 
Some  call  it  evolution, 

Others  call  it  God." 


THE  OLD  STORES  OF  FITCHBURG. 

Read  at  a  Meeting  of  the  Society,  February  19,  1900. 
BY    FREDERICK    A.   CURRIER. 


In  the  rural  towns  of  New  England  the  country  store 
has  ever  been  the  portal  of  advancement  in  the  commu- 
nity for  any  one  having  sufficient  capital  and  enterprise 
to  enable  him  to  engage  in  the  retailing  of  merchandise. 
No  one  was  more  likeh'  to  be  honored  by  his  townsmen, 
to  be  elected  to  the  General  Court,  and  ultimately  to  write 
Esquire  after  his  name,  than  the  village  storekeeper.  It 
may  be  of  interest  to  recall  the  names  of  those  who  have 
been  among  the  merchants  of  our  city,  and  who  have 
aided  in  building  up  its  business  life. 

The  old  country  store  embraced  in  its  assortment  of 
goods  about  everything  salable  that  a  customer  was 
likel}'  to  call  for;  and  a  generous  source  of  profit  was 
the  sale  of  spirituous  liquors.  As  the  sale  of  liquors 
required  a  license  from  the  courts,  we  may  trace  from 
their  records  the  names  of  the  merchants  of  the  town 
before  the  days  of  newspapers  and  directories. 

The  first  storekeeper  of  Fitchburg  was  Amos  Kimball, 
who  was  in  business  in  1764,  the  year  the  town  was 
incorporated.  He  doubtless  followed  the  custom  of  the 
times,  giving  the  display  of  his  little  stock  of  goods  in 
one  of  the  rooms  of  his  dwelling  house.  He  continued 
until  1767.  After  the  closing  of  this  store  the  Lunenburg 
store  was  depended   on   to  supply  the  needs  of  the  scat- 


160  The  Old  Stores  of  FitcJiburg. 

tered  inhabitants  of  Fitchburg  until  1772,  when  Ephraim 
Kimball  opened  a  store  on  or  near  the  site  of  the  stone 
mill  of  J.  Gushing  &  Co.,  Laurel  street,  where  he  contin- 
ued in  business  until  1776.  In  front  of  this  store,  on  the 
morning  of  the  19th  of  April,  1775,  were  fired  the  signal 
guns  calling  the  Fitchburg  minute  men  to  assemble  for 
their  march  to  Lexington,  the  store  being  the  appointed 
rallying  place,  where  their  guns  and  equipments  were  kept 
ready  for  instant  use.  Soon  after  the  opening  of  the  war 
the  store  was  closed. 

In  1773  Joseph  Fox  commenced  business  in  the  Bou- 
telle  house  on  the  site  of  the  present  American  House. 
While  following  his  trade  of  shoemaking  he  brought  a  few 
of  the  necessaries  of  life  from  Boston  in  his  saddle-bags, 
retailing  them  from  his  shoemaker's  bench.  About  the 
time  of  the  closing  of  the  Kimball  store,  in  1776,  he 
removed  to  the  corner  of  Main  and  Laurel  streets,  now 
occupied  by  the  Chamberlain  Huntress  Co.,  and  opened 
what  was  known  for  many  years  as  the  "Old  Red  Store," 
and  which  long  remained  the  business  center  of  the  vil- 
lage. He  was  a  man  of  great  influence  in  the  affairs  of 
the  town,  and  acquired  a  large  amount  of  property  for 
those  days. 

Originality  in  advertising  is  not  wholly  a  characteris- 
tic of  the  present  day,  as  we  find  in  1776  a  facetious  mer- 
chant announcing  on  a  placard  at  his  door,  "A  fresh 
stock  of  lickers,"  when  he  had  received  a  supply  of 
smoked  tongues;  and  another  was,  "Wanted,  a  stout, 
active  man,  one  who  feareth  the  Lord  and  can  carry  two 
hundred  pounds." 

The  unsettled  condition  of  affairs  before  the  Revolu- 
tionary war  made  money  very  scarce,  and  the  severe  pres- 
sure of  the  war  raised  the  price  of  all  articles  of  consump- 
tion. Everything  was  high  and  few  had  money  with 
which  to  bu}'.    The  General  Court  endeavored  to  remedy 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchbiirg.  161 

the  difficulty  by  having  the  price  of  provisions  established 
b3'  committees,  whose  specified  prices  it  was  unlawful  to 
exceed.  Fitchburg  was  in  a  district  with  Groton,  Shirley 
and  Townsend.  In  Februarj-,  1777,  the  committee  estab- 
lished their  list  of  prices.  Some  of  the  items  were  as  fol- 
lows, the  values  being  in  shillings  and  pence:  Butter,  9 
pence  per  pound;  cheese,  6d.  per  pound;  fatted  pork,  4d, 
per  pound;  oats,  2  shillings  per  bushel;  wheat,  6s.  8d.  per 
bushel;  salt  pork,  8d.  per  pound;  beef  (grass  fed),  3d.  per 
pound;  beef  (stall  fed),  4d.  per  pound;  peas,  7s.  per 
bushel;  potatoes,  Is.  per  bushel;  beans,  6s.  per  bushel; 
lamb,  mutton  and  veal,  3d.  per  pound;  wheat  flour,  22s. 
per  hundred  pounds;  milk  2d.  per  quart.  The  scheme, 
however,  proved  a  failure  and  was  abandoned  after  a  few 
weeks'  trial. 

In  1781  William  Hitchborn,  a  hatter  by  trade,  built 
a  building  adjoining  the  red  store,  where  he  manufactured 
hats  to  order  and  for  sale, — buying  the  skins  of  rabbits 
and  muskrats  from  the  boy  trappers,  from  the  hair  of 
which  he  made  the  felting  for  his  hats.  In  1781  the  select- 
men licensed  Joseph  Fox,  John  Selloy,  and  William  Hitch- 
born  to  sell  tea,  in  accordance  with  the  Acts  of  the  Gen- 
eral Court  for  that  year.  Hitchborn  was  evidently  not 
very  popular.  Having  a  brother  in  Boston  with  sufficient 
political  influence,  he  secured  the  appointment  of  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  in  spite  of  the  vigorous  protest  of  the  prin- 
cipal men  of  Fitchburg.  But  his  business  evidently  suf- 
fered in  consequence,  and  soon  after  he  sold  out  his  stock 
to  Joseph  Fox  and  left  town. 

Joseph  Paterson,  1779;  William  Thurlow,  1780-83; 
Benjamin  Danforth,  1784-85;  and  John  Brown,  1786-88, 
were  in  business  at  locations  now  unknown. 

The  merchants  of  1780  experienced  the  difficulties  in- 
cident to  a  depreciated  paper  currency,  when  $1  in  specie 
was  equal  to  $32.50  in  continental  money. 


162 


The  Old  Stores  of  FitcJibiirg. 


In  1784-  David  Gibson  established  the  first  bakery,  on 
the  site  of  the  present  "Torrey  house,"  opposite  the  city 
hall.  He  continued  until  1792,  when  he  removed  from 
town,  and  was  followed  by  Edward  Durant,  1793-96; 
Jackson  Durant,  1797-99 ;  Allen  Hallett,  1800-04;  Robert 
Allen,  1805-10;  Edward  Durant,  1811-15. 

On  the  Pound  Hill  road,  John  Upton,  1792-94;  Simon 
Whitney,  1795-96;  Nathaniel  Cunningham,  1797-98,  were 
in  business. 

Rev.  Peter  Whitne}',  in  his  "History  of  Worcester 
County,"  published  in  1793,  in  a  sketch  of  Fitchburg, 
says:  "They  have  a  few  dealers  of  European,  East  and 
West  India  goods."  The  town  then  had  166  houses  and 
1151  inhabitants. 

Abijah  Whitney,  1802-03;  Moses  Darby,  1804;  Peter 
Kimball,  1805;  Samuel  Putnam,  1806-12;  George  S.  Put- 
nam, 1804-06,  were  early  Fitchburg  storekeepers;  loca- 
tions unknown. 

From  1793  the  decimal  currency  of  the  United  States 
was  in  use.  For  many  years  most  of  the  coin  in  circula- 
tion w^as  of  foreign  coinage,  mainly  English  and  Spanish. 
For  nearly  forty  years  later,  in  the  daily  traffic,  merchants 
stated  their  prices  in  shillings  and  pence,  as  three  shillings ; 
four  and  sixpence;  five  and  threepence;  not  half  a  dollar, 
seventy-five  cents,  eighty-seven  and  a  half  cents ;  although 
the  coins  of  the  former  denominations  slowly  gave  way 
to  the  decimal  currenc}'  issued  by  the  government  mint. 

Among  the  charges  on  the  old  day  book  of  the  Lunen- 
burg store  I  find  in  1800  the  following: 


1  gal.  N.  rum,  3s.  6d. 
6  yds.  India  cotton,  12s. 

1  doz.  crackers,  Is. 

2  lbs.  of  sugar,  Is.  lOd. 
1   qt.  N.  rum,  lid. 

1%,  calico,  4s.  5d. 


Rum  and  crackers.  Is.  3d. 

1  orange,  4d. 

Spirits  and  snuff,  lOd. 

%  lb.  Souchong  tea,  Is.  6d. 

"Goods  Chawked  Up,"  4s.  lOd. 

V^  mug  toddy,  6d. 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg.  163 

2  qts.  molasses,  Is.  9d.  Peck  of  salt,  2s. 

2  lbs.  cotton,  4s.  V2  doz.  eggs,  Is.  W-A- 
2V2  lbs.  salt  fish,  lli/ad.  1  lemon,  6i/2d. 

1  lb.  butter.  Is.  9d.  1  lb.  raisins,  lOd.  • 

3  mackerel,  lOd.  Spirit  and  lemon,  Is. 

Vi.  muslin.  Is.  5d.  Lemon  and  spirit,  Is.  6d. 

Nearl3^  everj'  third  charge  included  some  kind  of  liquor, 
mostly  New  England  rum. 

The  "Old  Streeter  Store"  on  West  Main  street,  now 
occupied  Idv  Kelley  Brothers,  was  established  by  Capt. 
Oliver  Fox,  son  of  Joseph  Fox,  in  1803.  The  following 
account  of  him  is  given:  "He  was  a  good  example  of  a 
Yankee — restless,  active,  enterprising,  always  looking  out 
for  a  chance  to  make  money."  He  was  a  very  successful 
business  man,  and  became  one  of  the  wealthiest  and  most 
influential  men  in  town  in  his  time. 

He  sold  out  this  store  in  1806  to  Jonathan  Haskell 
and  John  Whitcomb,  who  as  Whitcomb  &  Haskell  con- 
tinued until  1807,  when  Mr.  Haskell  became  sole  owner 
until  1815.  He  was  followed  by  Walter  Johnson  until 
1825,  when  Mr.  Haskell  again  became  proprietor  until 
1828. 

The  old  day  book  of  a  store  commencing  April  15, 
1805,  is  interesting  as  showing  the  articles  consumed  b}"- 
the  average  family  of  that  time.  Along  with  charges  for 
butter,  tea  and  sugar,  rum  seems  to  have  been  the  most 
staple  article  handled  by  the  merchant.  Two  grades  of 
rum  are  shown.  One  kind  costs  30  cents  for  two  quarts, 
while  another  man  is  charged  28  cents  for  five  pints. 
Brandy  retailed  at  26  cents  per  quart,  but  most  cus- 
tomers appeared  to  prefer  rum.  Tea  was  26  cents  per 
pound — most  families  bought  it  by  the  half-pound — wal- 
nuts were  worth  four  cents  per  cjuart,  tobacco,  four  and 
one-half  cents  a  punk.  Six  3^ards  of  cotton  are  set  down 
at  10  cents,  and  a  skein  of  silk  at  5  cents.     Eggs  retailed 


164  The  Old  Stores  of  FitcJibtirg. 

at  7  cents  a  dozen,  and  snuff  brought  9  cents  for  one- 
quarter  pound.  Sugar  was  rather  sparingly  used  and 
retailed  for  11  cents  per  pound. 

Joseph  Fox  retired  from  business  in  1810,  and  his  son, 
Capt.  Oliver  Fox,  became  the  proprietor  of  the  "Old  Red 
Store,"  and  continued  until  1814.  Of  Capt.  Fox  the  fol- 
lowing well-authenticated  stories  are  told.  He  was  wide 
awake  and  verj^  shrewd  at  a  bargain,  but  like  every  one 
else  he  sometimes  met  his  match.  One  day  Joel  Page,  Sr., 
was  in  the  old  store  and  mentioned  the  havoc  grasshop- 
pers were  making  on  his  farm,  and  his  fear  that  thej'- 
would  eat  everything  up.  "Pooh!  pooh!"  says  the  cap- 
tain, "I  guess  it  ain't  so  bad  as  that.  I  will  give  you 
two  dollars  if  3-ou  can  bring  me  a  bushel  of  grasshoppers 
off  of  the  whole  farm."  Mr.  Page,  on  his  arrival  home, 
set  all  of  the  women  folks  to  gathering  grasshoppers,  and 
the  next  day  appeared  at  the  store  with  a  bag.  Capt, 
Fox  denied  all  knowledge  of  the  bargain,  and  endeavored 
in  every  way  to  turn  it  off;  but  Page  held  him  strictly 
to  his  offer,  and  finally  brought  things  to  a  climax  by  an- 
nouncing in  pretty  vigorous  language  that  if  that  two 
dollars  was  not  handed  over  without  delay  he  would 
empty  the  whole  bushel  of  grasshoppers  on  the  floor  of 
the  store.  The  captain  came  down  and  forked  over  the 
cash. 

Tea  in  those  days  was  very  sparingly  used,  and  deal- 
ers were  popularly  supposed  to  sometimes  get  the  first 
use  of  the  tea  they  offered  for  sale.  Capt.  Fox,  like 
others,  was  suspected  when  the  strength  of  the  tea  did 
not  sustain  the  expectations  of  the  good  ladies  of  that 
day.  On  the  other  hand  the  farmers  who  used  their  ashes 
in  the  making  of  domestic  soap  were  sometimes  suspected 
of  carefully  dr3dng  the  ashes  after  their  being  so  used,  and 
allowing  them  somehow  to  get  mixed  with  those  sent  to 
the  village  store,  where  they    were  exchanged  for  goods. 


TJie  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg.  165 

One  day  a  farmer  in  the  west  part  loaded  up  the  wagon 
with  the  barrels  of  ashes  which  had  accumulated,  and  the 
good  wife  drove  down  to  the  "Old  Red  Store."  "I  sup- 
pose you  are  taking  ashes?"  "Oh,  yes,"  replied  the  cap- 
tain, and  he  called  to  the  clerk  to  take  charge  of  the 
team,  giving  him  orders  to  drive  to  the  shed  and  unload. 
The  good  woman  entered  the  store,  where  she  selected 
half  a  pound  of  tea,  some  spices  and  other  articles.  On 
figuring  up,  there  was  a  balance  of  17  cents  against  her, 
which  she  paid.  About  that  time  the  clerk  returned  with 
the  team  and  managed  to  call  the  captain  aside  and  to 
suggest  that  some  of  the  ashes  looked  suspicious.  "Hold 
on,  madam,"  says  the  captain,  as  she  was  getting  into 
the  wagon,  "Have'nt  those  ashes  been  leached?"  "Oh, 
yes,"  says  she,  "but  I  thought  they  would  do  to  exchange 
for  tea  grounds.     Get  up,  Jerry." 

Capt.  Oliver  Fox  sold  out  in  1814  to  Thomas  Sweet- 
ser,  who  continued  until  1824,  when  the  store  seems  to 
have  been  given  up,  and  for  many  years  the  building  was 
but  little  used. 

One  of  our  townsmen  recalls  an  incident  of  his  boy- 
hood days,  of  hearing  a  customer  ask  Mr.  Sweetser  for 
"a  pair  of  quarts  of  family  disturber,"  and  adding,  "If 
it  makes  an\'  disturbance  in  my  family,  don't  you  let  me 
have  any  more."  It  is  proper  to  add  that  what  he 
wanted  was  the  "staff  of  life,"  as  it  was  sometimes  called, 
or  a  couple  of  quarts  of  New  England  rum. 

The  quantity  of  licjuor  sold  by  the  country  store- 
keepers of  that  period  would  astonish  some  of  the  tem- 
perance people  of  to-day.  Social  drinking  Avas  the  com- 
mon practice,  and  every  forenoon  in  man}'  stores  some 
stimulating  beverage  was  made  ready  for  their  customers 
in  order  to  keep  their  good  will  and  continued  trade. 
Hon.  Amos  Lawrence  relates  that  the  practice  in  his  clerk- 


166  The  Old  Stores  of  FitcJiburg. 

ship  clays  at  Groton,  was  to  offer  a  drink  compounded  of 
rum,  raisins,  sugar,  nutmeg,  etc.,  a  mixture  which  was 
very  palatable.  The  farmer  came  bringing  butter,  eggs, 
and  domestic  produce  to  exchange  for  groceries  and  a  jug 
of  New  England  rum.  Of  a  citizen  of  those  da3^s  the  fol- 
lowing story  is  told :  Treading  his  devious  way  home- 
ward from  the  store  having,  as  usual,  a  jug  for  company, 
he  met  a  crony,  who  at  once  became  clamorous  for  a 
drink.  "No,"  says  John,  putting  the  jug  Ijehind  him,  "I'm 
only  a  retailer,  while  yours  is  a  wholesale  gullet;"  but 
Jerry  had  all  the  eloquence  of  thirst,  and  John,  with  con- 
spicuous reluctance,  at  last  consented  to  spare  "just  one 
swallow,"  on  the  condition  that  he  was  to  hold  the  jug. 
The  cork  was  drawn  and  the  nose  of  the  jug  quickh' 
glued  to  the  dry  lips,  when  John  gave  the  vessel  a  sudden 
upward  tilt,  and  then  ran,  shouting  with  laughter,  leav- 
ing poor  Jerry  cursing  and  coughing  from  the  whale  oil 
he  had  greedih'  poured  down  his  capacious  throat,  instead 
of  the  expected  "Old  Medford." 

Thomas  Damon,  1805-09;  Martin  Herrick,  1809-10; 
J.  Whitcomb,  1811-12;  Daniel  Mayo.  1813;  J.  Cowdin, 
1814;  Pliny  Whitne}^  1815,  were  in  business  at  some  un- 
known location,  as  was  Richard  Chappelle  in  1822. 
Thomas  Ingalls,  for  a  short  time  about  1822,  was  at  the 
old  West  street  store. 

The  old  Caldwell  store,  where  the  Wallace  block  now 
stands,  was  for  many  3^ears  one  of  the  landmarks  of  the 
village.  It  was  established  in  1810  by  Isaiah  Putnam, 
who  also  was  the  first  proprietor  of  the  Fitchburg  tav- 
ern. The  location  was  probably  selected  from  the  build- 
ing of  the  first  cotton  mill  (in  1807-08),  later  known  as 
the  Fitchburg  Woolen  mill,  and  where  Parkhill  Mill  B 
now  stands.  Mr.  Putnam  soon  after  took  as  a  partner 
Francis  Perkins,  and  the  firm  became  Putnam  ik.  Perkins. 
Mr.    Putnam    retiring    in   1816,    Mr.    Perkins    became  sole 


The  Old  Stores  of  FitcJiburg.  167 

proprietor.  He  was  afterwards  the  first  president  of  the 
P'itchburg  bank  on  its  organization  in  1832. 

In  1825  Ivers  Jewett,  for  several  years  afterward  a 
prominent  figure  in  the  business  life  of  Fitchburg,  came  in 
company  with  Samuel  Woods  from  Ashburnham,  where 
for  several  3'ears  he  had  very  successfully  managed  the 
"Old  Jewett  store,"  founded  by  his  grandfather  in  1783. 
Of  a  buoyant,  ardent  temperament,  attractive  personal 
appearance,  and  commanding  presence,  at  the  age  of  thir- 
ty-four he  had  risen  to  the  rank  of  general  in  the  militia, 
proving  an  efiicient  and  popular  officer.  Affable,  kind- 
hearted,  with  boldness  of  conception  and  power  of  per- 
suasion, he  was  fitted  to  lead,  and  had  the  ability  to  com- 
mand men  as  well  as  an  aptitude  for  the  routine  transac- 
tion of  business.  The  store  built  up  an  extensive  business 
for  the  time,  extending  to  all  the  neighboring  towns. 
Exchanging  goods  for  every  product  of  the  farm,  they 
sent  annually  man^^  tons  of  butter,  pork,  cheese  and  grain 
to  the  city.  Ashes,  taken  in  trade,  were  converted  into 
potash  before  being  forwarded  to  the  market.  April  8, 
1828,  Mr.  Woods  returned  to  Ashburnham,  and  Ivers 
Jewett  became  sole  proprietor. 

A  country  store  was  opened  in  1824  or  1825  on  the 
site  of  the  present  building  of  the  Fitchburg  Mutual  Fire 
Insurance  Co.  b3^  Reed  &  Tilden,  who  were  succeeded  by 
Arba  Reed  in  1826. 

The  Circle  street  bakery  was  established  l\v  Wilson  & 
Lane  in  1828.  On  the  death  of  Halleyburton  Lane,  April 
2,  1832,  Timothy  S.  Wilson  assumed  the  sole  proprietor- 
ship. 

The  first  newspaper,  The  Gazette,  was  issued  Oct.  19, 
1830,  but  the  business  men  of  the  town  were  evidently 
not  up  to  the  idea  of  newspaper  advertising,  as  only 
three  of  the  merchants  took  advantage  of  its  columns  to 
offer  very   meager  announcements.     I.  &  C.  Jewett  "want 


168  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg. 

3000  Imshels  of  oats  and  10  tons  of  good  hay  for  cash, 
or  goods  at  cash  prices."  Kellett  &  Harding  "sell  hats 
near  the  Academy.  Cash  will  be  given  for  hatting  or 
shipping  furs."  Wilson  Baxter,  fashionable  tailor,  an- 
nounces the  receipt  of  the  fall  fashions,  also  has  the  fol- 
lowing: "Clark  Adams  w^ill  much  oblige  the  librarian 
of  the  Fitchburg  circulating  library  b3^  returning  a  book 
entitled  "The  Naval  Temple,"  and  paying  the  charges 
from  21st  of  July,  1830."  One  is  reminded  of  the  adver- 
tisement: "Whereas,  Patrick  O'Connor  has  left  his  lodg- 
ings, this  is  to  give  notice  if  he  does  not  return  immedi- 
ately and  pay  for  the  same  he  will  be  advertised." 

January,  1831,  J.  Haskell  advertises  "Wanted  10,000 
yards  of  leghorn  or  eleven  strand  braid,  also  nice  Dunstable 
and  palmleaf  hats,  for  which  a  fair  price  will  be  given." 
In  those  days  braiding  straw  was  one  of  the  means  of 
earning  money  by  the  women  and  children,  the  latter 
being  taught  when  quite  small  to  do  their  stent.  There 
being  no  machinery,  every  straw  hat  or  bonnet  had  to  be 
made  by  hand.  The  rye  straw,  being  brought  from  the 
field,  was  bleached  on  the  grass,  scalded  in  soapsuds,  and 
smoked  with  sulphur  in  a  barrel,  and  then  dried  and  split 
into  strands  with  a  little  hand  machine.  These  were  then 
ready  for  braiding,  which  was  done  by  the  women  folks 
in  many  pretty  patterns.  The  braid  found  a  ready  mar- 
ket at  the  village  store  in  exchange  for  w^hatever  goods 
the  owners  might  want,  while  the  storekeepers  disposed 
of  the  braid  to  the  manufacturers. 

In  1831  Whitcomb  &  Cook  opened  the  Fitchburg 
Book  Store,  first  door  below  the  Fitchburg  Bank ;  and 
I.  and  C.  Jewett  &  Lowe  advertise  5,000  garments  to  be 
put  out  to  make,  and  a  case  of  remnant  calicoes  at  50 
cents  per  pound. 

The  first  drug  store  was  estalilished  by  Marshall  & 
Abercronibie  in  1830  or  1831,  and  the  first  iron  store  was 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg.  169 

that  of  Horace  Newton,  opposite  the  Fitchbur^i^  tavern. 
We  find  him  in  1831  announcing  lead  pipe,  stoves,  slieet 
iron,  tin  and  copper  ware. 

In  1831  was  built  the  addition  to  the  Fitchbur<2:  tav- 
ern, and  Moses  Hale  announces  that  "Boston  and  New 
York  fashions  are  regularly  received."     In  July,  1831, 

I.  &  C.  Jewett  &  Lowe  offer  for  sale  at  their  stores,  3000  pounds 
white  lead  at  IOV2  cents;  6000  pounds  of  cut  nails,  6%  and  7  cents; 
80  barrels  of  superfine  flour,  $5.50  and  $6.50;  10  chests  of  Souchong 
tea,  58  cents;  loaf  sugar,  14-  cents;  brown  sugar,  7  and  10  cents; 
white  Havana  sugar,  121/2  cents.  *  *  *  Cod  and  halibut  fish,  2  to  5 
cents ;  heavy  Porto  Rico  molasses,  35  cents ;  grindstones,  35  cents ;  cot- 
ton yarn  by  ball  or  pound ;  cotton  sheetings  and  shirtings  by  bale  or 
piece ;  paints  and  oils  of  all  kinds ;  corn  and  rye,  round,  square  and  bar 
iron,  German,  cast  and  blister  steel,  London  porter.  Congress  water, 
Worcester  ale  by  the  barrel,  with  as  general  an  assortment  of  hard- 
ware, English  and  West  India  goods  as  can  be  found  in  this  vicinit_v. 

P.  S.  All  kinds  of  straw  braid,  palmleaf  hats,  lumber  and  produce 
received  at  fair  prices  in  payment. 

Not  much  of  the  produce  of  the  farm  was  sold  for 
cash.  The  people  raised  and  made  much  more  of  what 
they  ate  and  wore  than  in  these  later  days,  and  whatever 
surplus  they  raised  was  exchanged  with  neighbors  and  at 
the  village  store  for  things  they  lacked.  The  minister  and 
the  doctor  were  paid  in  part  in  grain,  wood  and  other 
produce,  and  even  the  editor  was  paid  in  the  same  way, 
as  appears  b}'  the  Fitchburg  Gazette  of  Oct.  11,  1831. 

"  We  would  just  mention  to  those  subscribers  who  have  proposed 
bringing  in  wood,  that  we  are  now  somewhat  in  need  of  it." 

In  1829  Alpheus  Kimball,  father  of  Gen.  J.  W.  Kim- 
ball, became  the  proprietor  of  the  Streeter  store  on  West 
Main  street,  and  in  1831  removed  to  the  Arba  Reed  store, 
opposite  Walhice  block,  and  the  Hrm  became  Kimball  & 
Farwell.  In  1832  we  find  the  following,  referring  to  the 
Caldwell  store : 


170  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg. 

"It  need  not  be  said  only  to  those  who  are  unacquainted  with  the 
fact,  that  at  the  "Old  Brick  store"  a  greater  variety  has  been  kept  for 
years  than  at  any  other  store  in  the  county  of  Worcester.  Many  arti- 
cles may  be  found,  useful  and  necessary  in  the  mechanic  arts,  which  are 
rarely  kept  in  a  countrj'  store,  and  as  thej'  are  called  for,  others  will  be 
added." 

The  Jewetts  made  it  a  matter  of  pride  to  endeavor  to 
have  everything  that  a  customer  might  call  for.  Like  the 
clerk  of  a  certain  New  Hampshire  store,  which  served  for 
postoffice,  circulating  library,  and  everything  combined, 
when  a  lady  customer,  glancing  over  the  few  books,  asked 
"Have  you  Browning?"  "No,"  he  replied,  somewhat  re- 
gretfully, and  not  knowing  what  kind  of  an  article  brown- 
ing might  be,  added  more  hopefully,  "but  we  have  blacking 
and  blueing,  and  have  a  man  who  does  whiting,  and  we 
occasionally  do  pinking;  would  any  of  them  do?" 

1830-33  Clement  Jewett  of  the  firm  of  I.  &  C.  Jewett 
had  a  store  known  as  the  Stone  Mill  store,  about  where 
Gushing  Block  now  stands  on  Laurel  street. 

March  22,  1831,  Scott's  Family  Bible  is  advertised  for 
sale  at  Kimball  &  Farwell's  and  Jonathan  Haskell's  stores. 

Sept.  24,  1832,  J.  Haskell,  West  street,  announces: 

"I  intend  to  do  a  cash  business  only.  No  credit  will  be  given  but 
to  such  as  are  prompt  to  pay  quarterly.  All  notes  and  accounts  of  over 
three  months'  standing  must  be  paid  immediately." 

Oct.  16,  1832,  Edwin  P.  Bunnell  announces  a  new  cash 
store  in  the  new  brick  building  opposite  the  Fitchburg 
tavern,  now  occupied  by  E.  M.  Read.  J.  Haskell,  West 
street,  advertises: 

"Wanted,  twenty  braiders  to  manufacture  fine  hats;  also  a  little 
money  or  notes  on  account." 

In  July,  1833,  a  new  store  was  opened  by  *Pipcr  & 
Stimson,  who  announced  in  the  Gazette: 

•Porter  Piper,  now  enjoying  a  vigoroiis  old  age  at  Leominster,  was  for 
many  years  an  active,  enterprising,  and  influential  merchant  of  Fitchburg. 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchhnrg.  171 

"At  the  store  lately'  occupied  In'  Mr.  Hale,  just  below  the  Fitchburg 
tavern,  they  offer  the  following:  Gros  de  nap,  colored  and  water  colored, 
l)lack  synchone,  green  sarsnett  silk,  printed  muslins,  fancy  prints,  laces, 
fancy  handkerchiefs,  l)andanna  handkerchiefs,  cravats,  crockery  and  glass 
ware,  French  and  fancy  ginghams,  checked  and  fancy  ginghams,  India 
and  book   muslins.  West  India  goods  and  groceries. 

P.  S.  Will  sell  the  above  goods  at  a  small  advance  for  cash,  and 
cash  only." 

Oct.  16,  1832,  Spaulding  &  Whiting  opened  the  Brick 
Store  in  what  is  now  the  small  brick  dwelling  house  op- 
posite the  Duck  mill  at  South  Fitchburg,  where,  in  July, 
1833,  they  offer  "Fine  cutlery,  silk  goods,  etc.,  crape  and 
silk  shawls,  green  pressed  crape,  white  damask  tablecloths." 

August,  1833,  Edward  Bunnell,  Main  and  Central 
streets,  announces:  "The  subscriber  not  being  in  the 
habit  of  specifying  prices  in  his  advertisements  flatters 
himself  that  he  shall  be  able  to  satisfy  his  customers  in 
regard  to  the  cheapness  of  his  goods,  at  such  times  as 
the^^  may  do  him  the  favor  of  examining  them." 

October,  1833,  John  Flagg  opened  a  new  store  "For 
dry  goods  only,"  in  the  store  recenth'  erected  a  few  rods 
south  of  the  Fitchburg  Hotel. 

In  November,  1833,  Thomas  H.  Appleton  bought  out 
the  "Brick  store"  at  South  Fitchburg,  and  offers  "  Drv 
goods,  etc.,  at  lowest  prices  for  cash,  credit,  and  all  kinds 
of  country  produce."  He  did  not,  like  another  merchant, 
specify  that  he  would  take  all  kinds  of  country-  produce 
except  promises.'' 

In  1833  Capt.  Robert  Sampson  announces  that  he  has 
taken  the  butchering  business  of  Gen.  Ivers  Jewett,  witli 
Mr.  S.  Whitcomb  as  a  partner,  and  will  supply  customers 
to  order  with  all  kinds  of  meat  at  their  doors,  on  most 
reasonable  terms."  The  Jewetts,  with  their  two  stores, 
butchering  business,  their  cotton  mill  (now  a  part  of  the 
Pitts  mill),  and  as  owners  of  one  of  the  principal  stage 
lines  to   Boston,  for  a  number  of  3^ears  carried   cm   an  ex- 


172  rJie  Old  Stores  of  Fitchhnrg. 

tensive  business,  buA^ng  low,  selling  high,  and  as  their 
extensive  operations  demanded  considerable  capital,  giving 
their  notes  to  keep  their  many  enterprises  going.  They 
called  their  ])romises  to  pa}^  "facilities,"  and  these  in  time 
were  held  by  about  everybody  in  town,  including  many 
who  deposited  their  small  savings  with  them. 

In  1833  I.  C.  Jewett  &  Lowe  (George  W.  Lowe),  an- 
nounce that: 

"  At  the  old  Brick  store  there  are  jet  a  large  assortment  of  goods. 
Although  not  just  received  from  Boston  or  New  York,  they  are  never- 
theless in  general  of  prime  quality,  and  many  of  them  as  fashionable 
as  can  be  found  in  any  other  store,  'new'  or  'old,'  in  this  place,  and  as 
the  affairs  of  said  old  Brick  store  are  to  be  closed  as  soon  as  possible, 
the  goods  will  be  sold  for  a  short  time  at  such  prices  as  cannot  fail  to 
please  any  reasonable  purchaser,  for  cash  or  nicely  trimmed  hats." 

In  October,  1833,  the  Jewetts  having  failed,  Kimball  & 
Farwell  removed  their  business  to  the  Caldwell  store,  and 
advertise  "A  few  barrels  of  cider  and  vinegar,  sawed  and 
shaved  shingles." 

In  November,  1833,  Daniel  Cross,  with  A.  Cross  (his 
brother),  under  the  firm  name  of  A.  Cross  &  Co.,  com- 
menced his  business  life  of  over  half  a  centur)^  as  a  mer- 
chant tailor  in  a  small  building  on  the  present  site  of  the 
city  hall.  Few  men  have  the  distinction  of  celebrating  a 
golden  anniversar\^  of  active  business  life  in  one  city. 
Throughout  his  long  and  industrious  career  he  maintained 
a  high  reputation  for  integrity  and  fair  dealing,  and 
enjoyed  the  sincere  respect  of  the  communitj'.  On  the 
organization  of  the  Merchants'  Association,  in  1886,  he 
was  elected  their  first  president,  and  the  complimentarj'- 
dinner  given  in  his  honor  in  1888  will  long  ])e  remem- 
bered by  those  present  for  the  many  testimonials  of 
respect  tendered  him. 

In  1834  (Horace)  Newton  <S:  (D.)  Collier  had  a  gen- 
eral store  opposite  the  Fitchl)urg  Hotel,  Kellett  &  Kendall 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchbiirg.  173 

succeeded  Kellett  &  Wheldon  in  the  hatting  business  near 
the  academy,  and  (Porter)  Piper  &  (John  L.)  Joslin  suc- 
ceeded Piper  &  Stimson^  adding  furniture  to  their  Hne  of 
goods.  William  Fleming,  tailor,  announces  in  the  Massa- 
chusetts Republican,  a  local  paper,  of  July,  "that  he  con- 
tinues the  above  business  in  this  village."  Amos  Durant 
opened  the  first  furniture  wareroom  at  the  store  of  Hor- 
ace Newton,  formerly  Kimball  &  Farwell,  opposite  Fitch- 
burg  Hotel.  In  March,  Phineas  A.  Crocker  opened  "his 
book  store  and  bindery  under  the  Baptist  church  on  West 
street,  a  few  rods  from  the  post-office."  Ivers  Phillips 
had  an  auction  store  at  the  "Old  City,"  and  J.  P.  Che- 
nery  was  at  the  "Stone  Mill  Store"  on  Laurel  street,  for- 
merly occupied  by  Clement  Jewett.  John  M.  Flagg  suc- 
ceeded John  Flagg,  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Central 
streets.  A.  Cross  &  Co.  dissolved,  and  Daniel  Cross  con- 
tinued the  business  in  a  room  over  Kimball  &  Farwell's 
store  (later  occupied  by  the  Sentinel  office).  E.  W.  &  S. 
G.  Reed  had  a  general  store  in  a  building  at  the  present 
location  of  Damon  &  Gould,  and  Charles  B.  Sawyer  was 
at  the  "Brick  Store,"  South  Fitchburg,  followed  in  1835 
by  Haskell,  Stewart  &  Co. 

In  1835  (D.)  Mclntire  &  (T.  C.)  Caldwell,  both  of 
whom  had  been  clerks  in  the  store,  bought  out  Kimball  & 
Farwell,  and  became  proprietors  of  the  "Old  Brick  Store." 
J.  &  W.  Griswold,  jewelers  and  clockmakers,  were  for  a 
time  located  in  the  "Old  Red  Store"  building,  corner  of 
Laurel  and  Main  streets,  and  were  probably  the  last  occu- 
pants before  that  building  was  torn  down. 

In  1835  appeared  Fitchburg's  first  directory,  modesth' 
introducing  itself  as  follows : 

"It  is  thought  that  a  \v(jrk  of  this  description  niav  be  of  consider- 
able utility  in  a  flourishing  manufacturing  town  and  place  of  so  much 
business  as  Fitchburg.  The  rapid  increase  of  population  and  business  of 
Fitchburg    has    rendered    it    difficult  of  attainment.     The  population  in 


174  TJie  Old  Stores  of  Fitchlmrg. 

1830  was  2,180,  an  increase  of  444  over  the  previous  ten  years,  and 
the  growth  has  been  very  rapid  of  late  years.  At  present  the  popula- 
tion is  estimated  to  be  2,500." 

From  a  comparison  of  this  little  book  of  thirty-one 
pages,  three  and  one-half  by  five  and  one-half  inches,  with 
our  present  directory,  we  have  a  vivid  picture  of  the  dif- 
ference of  the  lousiness  life  of  our  city  for  the  two  periods. 
The  following  list  of  the  merchants  is  taken  from  this 
book : 

Apothecaries. — Marshall  &  Abercrombie. 

Baker. — Timothy  Wilson. 

Tailors. — Daniel  Cross,  William  Fleming. 

Jewelers.— J.  &  W.  Griswold,  Silas  H.  Goodnow. 

Merchants  and  Traders. — Haskell,  Stewart  &  Co.,  Mclntire  &  Cald- 
well, Piper  &  Joslin,  John  M.  Flagg,  Benjamin  Snow  &  Son.  Man- 
ning &  Wyman,  Horace  Newton. 

Booksellers  and  Stationers. — Phineas  A.  Crocker,  William  S.  Wilder. 

Hatters. — Kellett  &  Kendall,  Oakman  &  Emory. 

Furniture. — Amos  Durant. 

Only  two  of  these  persons  are  now  living — Porter 
Piper  at  Leominster  and  T,  C.  Caldwell  at  Dorchester. 
An  answ^er  is  given  in  this  directory  to  a  question  that 
used  to  be  often  asked  as  to  the  limits  of  the  "Old  City," 
by  saying,  "The  'Old  City'  extends  from  Julian  Safford's 
shop  [which  was  where  the  Safet}^  Fund  Bank  now 
stands]  to  the  Burbank  paper  mill  at  Water  street  bridge, 
including  the  houses  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the 
stone  mill." 

In  1836  William  Cushing  was  at  the  Crocker  book 
store  on  West  street,  "near  the  whip  shop."  Jonathan 
Haskell  announces  he  "is  still  at  the  old  stand  near  the 
stone  bridge."  S.  G.  Reed  succeeded  to  firm  of  E.  W.  & 
vS.  G.  Reed,  "Old  City,"  but  within  a  few  months  sold  out 
to  Ivers  Phillips,  who  offers  a  "prime  assortment  of 
French,  American  and  West  India  goods."  The  firm  of 
Cross  &  Parker  assumed  the  business  of  Daniel  Cross, 
remaining  at  the   old   stand,  over  the  Caldwell   store.     In 


TJie  Old  Stores  of  Fitchbnrg.  175 

July  Benjamin  Snow  &  Son  announce  their  removal  to 
their  new  store  at  the  old  stand,  opposite  Whitcomb's  Ho- 
tel, "where  they  intend  to  keep  a  complete  assortment  of 
West  India  and  dry  goods,  crockery,  glass  and  china 
ware,  and  such  other  articles  as  may  be  called  for." 
"  Palmleaf  hats  wanted."  In  November,  they  "want  all 
kinds  of  country  produce,  a  few  palmleaf  hats  and  consid- 
erable cash  in  exchange  for  goods,  and  to  settle  long- 
standing accounts."  Torrey's  Histor3^  says  that  in  1836 
there  were  two  jewelers,  bakery,  hatters,  apothecary,  and 
eight  public  stores  containing  the  usual  variety  of  English, 
American  and  West  India  goods,  and  two  bookstores. 

In  January,  1837,  Charles  B.  and  Samuel  L.  Sawyer 
opened  a  store  formerly  occupied  by  Abel  Manning,  two 
doors  below  the  bank,  with  the  following  enumeration  in 
their  advertisement: 

"General  assortment  of  English,  American,  and  West  India  goods, 
among  which  arc:  Black,  brown,  olive,  green,  violet,  mulberr\%  and 
mixed  broadcloth;  buckskin,  plaid,  black,  blue,  drab,  and  lavender  cas- 
simeres;  satinets;  pilot  cloths;  silk,  Valencia,  and  velvet  vestings;  flan- 
nels; sheetings  and  shirtings;  bedticking;  a  large  assortment  of  merinos, 
and  dark  prints;  alpine,  black,  and  colored  silk;  bonnet  linings;  merino. 
Highland  and  Valencia  shawls;  silk  and  cotton  handkerchiefs;  scarfs; 
wrought  muslin  caps  and  collars;  lamb's  wool,  merino,  mohair,  cash- 
mere and  worsted  hose ;  black  and  white  silk ;  embroidered  silk ;  kid 
gloves,  buckskin,  woolen  and  Berlin  do.;  black  veils  of  superior  quality, 
barege,  jacoinett,  plain;  spotted  and  plain  muslin;  lace  insertions  and 
edgings;  colored  cambric;  furniture  patch;  plaid  and  brown  tablecloths, 
damask,  super  brown  and  white  linen  do.;  silk  and  cotton  velvets;  white 
and  colored  wadding;  plain,  gilt,  figured,  and  lasting  buttons;  short 
boas  and  comforters;  etc.,  etc.  Also  prime  molasses,  flour,  rice,  teas, 
coffees,  tobacco,  raisins,  brimstone,  spice,  oil,  salt  fish,  sugars,  snuff,  figs, 
sulphur,  saleratus.  salt  pork,  etc.,  etc.;  flour  cloths;  l)oot  and  ])aint 
brushes,  dusters,  brooms,  and  broom  brushes,  together  with  many  other 
articles  not  enumerated,  all  of  which  are  offered  on  the  most  reasonable 
terms." 


176  Tlic  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg. 

Janiiai"}',  1837,  Leverett  &  Stetson  announce  that 
they  have  taken  the  brick  store  opposite  Torrey  & 
Wood's  office  for  a  tailoring  establishment,  two  doors 
from  the  post-office.  Beaman  &  Pride  bought  out  the 
Circle  street  bakery,  and  William  Sandin  succeeded  Litch 
&  Sandin.  In  July  C.  B.  Sawyer  took  the  business  of  C. 
B.  &  S.  L.  Sawyer,  with  the  announcement  that  he  would 
sell  goods  a  little  cheaper  for  cash  than  they  had  hereto- 
fore been  offered. 

December  20,  1838,  the  first  number  of  the  Sentinel 
appeared.  The  only  merchants  advertising  were  Newton 
&  Green,  hardware;  Cash  Dry  Goods  store,  J.  Haskell, 
Agent;  Franklin  Book  Store  in  postoffice.  The  advertise- 
ment of  PVanklin  Book  Store  reads : 

"Stationery  and  books,  Sarsaparilla  Compound,  cologne  water,  in- 
delible ink,  horehound  candy,  Moore's  Essence  of  Life  for  colds.  Pectoral 
Balsam,  pills  of  various  kinds,  Cochran's  Horse  Liniment,  eye  water,  con- 
fectionery, Soothing  Syrup  for  teething  children,  Richairdson's  Bitters, 
Compound  Honey  of  Boneset,  a  few  copies  of  History  of  Fitchburg, 
fancy  plates,  etc." 

From  a  personal  account  book,  commencing  1838,  I 
copy  a  few  of  the  current  prices : 

Twenty  pounds  sugar,  $2.20;  17  pounds  brown  sugar,  $1.86;  6 
yards  cotton  cloth,  60  cents;  2V2  yards  calico,  94  cents;  1  quart  New 
England  rum,  9  cents;  pint  gin,  16  cents;  pint  bi'andy,  19  cents;  V3 
pound  tea,  18  cents;   31  pounds  coffee,  $3;   barrel  flour,  $7.37. 

February,  1838,  (E.  W.)  Reed  &  (G.  C.)  Taft  bought 
out  Ivers  Phillips  at  Oak  block,  Old  City.  William  M. 
Pride  succeeded  Beaman  (A.  F.)  &  Pride  at  Circle  street 
bakery,  and  T.  C.  Caldwell  was  sole  proprietor  of  the 
Caldwell  store.  The  same  year  Spaulding  &  Evans  opened 
a  furniture  store  in  the  town  house,  now  Crocker  hall. 
Phinehas  A.  Crocker's  bookstore  was  in  a  one-story 
wooden   building   on   present    site   of   Stiles   block.     A   few 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchbiirg.  177 

doors  above  on  about  the  present  driveway  of  the   Fitch- 
burg  Hotel  was  the  bookstore  of  Willicini  S.  Wilder. 

At  this  time  the  firm  name  of  the  Porter  Piper  store 
became  Piper  &  Wilson  (Timothy  S.).  The  following  is 
said  to  have  been  an  actual  occurrence  at  this  store:  A 
somewhat  noted  character,  who  lived  a  little  out  of  the 
village,  one  da}'  walked  into  the  store  and  handed  out  a 
bottle,  asking  to  have  it  filled  with  New  England  rum. 
The  merchant,  going  to  the  row  of  barrels  at  the  rear  of 
the  store,  filled  the  bottle  and  returning  handed  it  to  the 
waiting  customer.  The  latter,  after  placing  the  bottle  in 
his  pocket,  began  feeling  for  his  mone^-,  but  to  his  great 
surprise  he  was  unable  to  find  a  cent,  and  was  obliged  to 
say  that  he  must  have  left  it  at  home,  adding  that  he  would 
call  and  pay  the  next  time  he  came  to  town.  "No  3'ou 
don't,"  saj^s  the  storekeeper,  "that  won't  work;  you  just 
hand  back  that  bottle,"  which  he  reluctantly  did,  and  the 
merchant  poured  its  contents  back  into  the  barrel.  Re- 
turning the  empty  bottle  to  the  disappointed  customer,  he 
sharply  remarked  to  him,  "Don't  you  ever  come  into  this 
store  and  ask  for  liquor  without  having  your  money  with 
you."  His  would-be  patron  slowly  left  the  store,  but 
had  hardly  passed  the  doorway  before  he  drew  the  bottle 
from  his  pocket  and  took  a  generous  drink,  having  worked 
an  ingenious  game  of  substitution  on  the  storekeeper.  On 
the  wa}'  to  town,  having  provided  himself  with  two 
empt}'  bottles,  he  stopped  at  a  wa^-side  spring  and  filled 
one  with  water.  When  called  upon  by  the  storekeeper  to 
return  the  bottle  of  rum  he  tiuietly  handed  out  the  bottle 
of  water.  The  merchant,  in  his  indignation  £it  the  at- 
tempted imposition,  did  not  observe  the  difference  in  ap- 
pearance as  he  poured  it  into  the  barrel.  The  story  was 
too  good  to  kec])  and  lor  many  years  the  joke  was  a 
favorite  one  among   the   storckce])cr's  friends,   who  always 


178  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg. 

insisted  that  he  had,  however,  lost  nothing,  as  he  had  sold 
the  watered  liquor  to  some  one  else  at  full  price. 

January,  1839,  J.  &  W.  Griswold  removed  their  jew- 
elry and  clock  business  to  opposite  the  Fitchburg  Hotel. 
In  September,  1839,  Daniel  Emor}-  succeeded  Emory  & 
Wilder.  "Fur  hats,  and  trimming  for  the  ladies'  cloaks." 
In  November,  Newton  &  Green,  opposite  the  Fitchburg 
Hotel,  offer  "Best  patterns  of  cook,  parlor  and  box 
stoves,  and  fire  frames,  which  they  will  sell  cheaper  than 
can  be  bought  in  this  vicinity.  Also  a  large  assortment 
of  hardware  and  West  India  goods,  which  they  are  dis- 
posed to  sell  cheap." 

In  1840  Towne  &  Piper's  block,  now  owned  b}^  La^- 
man  Patch,  was  built.  At  the  time  it  was  the  finest  busi- 
ness block  in  town,  and  was  considered  quite  a  preten- 
tious affair.  Piper  &  Wilson  moved  their  store  into  the 
part  now  occupied  by  Lyman  Patch  for  his  stove  store. 
In  July  Spaulding  &  Holbrook  succeeded  to  the  furniture 
business  in  the  town  house,  and  the  Caldwell  store  was 
managed  by  E.  Caldwell  &  Son.  Rollstone  block,  corner 
of  Main  and  Blossom  streets,  was  built  about  this  time, 
the  first  floor  being  about  seven  feet  above  Main  street, 
and  approached  by  a  flight  of  stone  steps.  These  were 
finally  removed  and  the  stores  brought  to  the  street  level 
in  the  early  seventies.  In  June  Abraham  Fay  offers  dry 
goods,  flour,  salt,  boots  and  shoes  and  paper  hangings  at 
the  lower  end  of  Main  street,  near  Blossom  street.  In 
March,  new  firm,  new  goods  are  announced  by  D.  Cross  & 
Co.,  over  Caldwell's  store,  and  Silas  H.  Goodnow,  jeweler, 
is  at  the  old  stand  opposite  the  Fitchburg  Hotel.  Benja- 
min Howe  opened  a  stock  of  dry  goods  and  groceries  in 
October,  just  above  the  present  city  hall.  At  the  Streeter 
store,  in  October,  we>  find  J.  Baldwin  oflcring  new  goods 
at  "the  West  End  Cheap  Cash  Store,  dry  goods.  West  In- 
dia   goods    and    hardware."     Snow    &    Haskell,    opposite 


riic  Old  Stores  of  Fitchhirg.  170 

Fitchburg  Hotel,  have  dry  goods,  crockery.  West  India 
goods,  etc.  "A  liberal  price  will  be  paid  for  palnileat 
hats."  In  March  Cahill  Tolman  became  a  partner  at  the 
Streeter  store,  and  the  firm  became  Baldwin  &  Tolman. 
Brigham  &  Prentiss  dissolved  partnership  and  Charles 
Brigham  continued  the  business.  There  were  no  national 
banks  in  those  daA's,  with  a  guarantee  of  their  bills  by 
the  government.  Careful  scrutiny  was  required  on  the 
part  of  the  merchant  to  avoid  loss.  Ever}'  bank  bill 
offered  in  trade,  if  not  of  a  local  bank,  had  to  be  carefully 
examined  and  the  bank  note  list  referred  to  to  see  if  the 
bank  was  solvent  and  to  learn  the  discount,  if  any,  re- 
quired for  their  redemption.  Many  of  the  bills  would 
only  be  taken  at  discounts  from  six  to  fifty  per  cent.,  and 
in  some  cases  as  high  as  seventy  and  eighty  per  cent, 
was  demanded.  All  of  the  newspapers  published  a  list  of 
solvent  banks  and  tables  of  current  rates  of  discounts. 

In  184-1  green  tea  is  advertised  at  $1.00  per  pound. 
Neither  tea  nor  coffee  were  used  as  extensively  as  at  pres- 
ent, tea  being  used  mostly  for  company,  and  coffee  was 
generally  sweetened  with  molasses;  and  so  accustomed  did 
people's  palates  become  to  this  that  when  sugar  came  into 
use  it  -^^as  considered  by  many  a  very  poor  substitute. 

January,  1841,  Benjamin  D.  Leverett,  merchant  tailor, 
was  located  three  doors  south  of  the  Fitchburg  hotel. 
In  February  Phineas  B.  Spaulding  bought  out  and  con- 
tinued the  furniture  store  of  Spaulding  &  Holbrook,  under 
old  town  hall,  and  Sampson  &  Upton's  market  was  re- 
moved to  the  basement  of  the  same  building. 

In  1841  the  town  was  taking  quite  a  start,  and  the 
subject  of  railroad  connection  with  Boston  began  to  be 
agitated.     In  June,  1841,  we  find  this  notice: 

"Attention,  rear  <;uar(l.  All  notos  and  accounts  due  the  sul)seril)crs 
now  in  the  hands  of  Snow  &  Haskell  may  lie  settled  without  costs  if 
attended  to  immediately. 


180  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg. 

"P.  S.  Should  this  call  fail  of  accomplishing  its  object,  our  inference 
will  be*  that  some  other  person  can  collect  our  demands  with  better 
success,  and  we  shall  act  accordingly.  B.  Snow  &  Son." 

As  much  as  to  say,  as  was  said  by  another  merchant, 
"If  3'ou  pay  you  will  oblige  me;  if  you  don't  I  shall 
oblige  you." 

Baldwin  &  Tolman  called  for  10,000  palmleaf  hats, 
and  the  leaf  could  Idc  had  at  their  store,  it  being  the  cus- 
tom for  the  merchants  to  furnish  the  stock,  "putting  it 
out"  for  weaving  into  palmleaf  hats  and  bonnets.  Not  to 
be  outdone,  E.  Caldwell  &  Son  call  for  100,000  palmleaf 
hats.  J.  Garfield  advertises  sale  and  leaving  the  town  as 
follows:  "All  persons  who  have  patronized  in  the  way  of 
borrowing  books,  by  leave  and  without,  are  requested  to 
return  them  immediately." 

October,  1841,  the  following  appeared: 

"  Gratuitous  Information. — The  subscribers  have  just  received  an 
assortment  of  various  kinds  of  goods,  which  they  will  be  luippy  to  sell 
to  their  friends  for  cash,  short  credit,  produce  and  palmleaf  hats,  at 
reasonable  prices.  E.  Caldwell  &  Son." 

In  December,  at  the  Fitchburg  Literary  Depot,  three 
doors  south  of  the  Fitchburg  Hotel,  up  stairs,  Charles 
Shepley  offers  all  of  the  leading  magazines,  etc.  In  May 
Abel  Manning  announces  that  he  has  taken  the  store 
lately  occupied  by  B.  J.  Howe,  for  a  stock  of  foreign  and 
domestic  dry  goods,  and  William  Martin  opened  a  dry 
goods  store  in  the  old  town  house.  In  August  (Robert) 
Sampson  &  (Albert  C.)  Upton  sold  out  to  Sampson  & 
Derby,  who  continued  the  market  under  the  town  hall. 
In  December  appeared  the  following: 

"First  invitation.  Snow  &  Haskell,  expecting  to  make  a  change  in 
their  business,  and  'settling  time'  having  come,  request  all  who  have  un- 
settled accounts  to  call  and  'look  over.'  They  also  request  all  who 
have  palmleaf  accounts  of  several  months'  standing  to  return  the  hats." 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg.  181 

An  old  merchant  tells  the  following  story  of  an  illiter- 
ate customer  who,  on  looking  at  his  bill  and  finding  sev- 
eral repetitions  of  the  word  "ditto,"  denied  that  he  had 
had  an3'  ditto,  and  accused  the  storekeeper  of  making  a 
mistake.  He  was  assured  it  was  all  correct,  and  if  he 
would  call  again  when  next  in  the  village,  if  he  had  not 
found  out  what  "ditto"  meant  he  would  explain  it.  A 
few  da^^s  later  he  appeared  at  the  store.  "Well,  my 
friend,"  says  the  merchant,  "have  you  satisfied  yourself 
that  your  bill  was  correct?"  "Yes,"  was  the  reply,  "I 
am  convinced  that  I  am  a  fool  and  that  you  are  ditto." 

In  1842  G.  C.  Noble  opened  a  new  drug  store,  the 
first  door  south  of  the  Fitchburg  Hotel.  Durant  &  Hol- 
brook  were  the  next  proprietors  of  the  Town  House 
Furniture  Store.  In  April  Haskell  &  Snow  dissolved  and 
Jacob  Haskell  continued  the  business.  The  same  month 
Edwin  A.  Wilder  and  Henry  J.  Lovejoy  succeeded  Wilson 
&  Pride  at  Circle  street  bakery.  Justin  Stearns  advertises 
cabinet  furniture,  and  A.  J.  Egery  as  merchant  tailor  over 
Baldwin  &  Tolman's  store.  In  Jidy  E.  Caldwell  &  Son 
were  followed   by   Hilton  &  Caldwell. 

The  "  Sprague  building"  was  erected  in  1842  by  Wal- 
ter He3^wood  and  Leander  Comee,  who,  as  Heywood  & 
Comee,  announced  in  1843  that  the}'  had  a  large  stock  of 
British,  French  and  American  dry  goods,  hardware.  West 
India  goods  and  groceries,  one  door  below  the  bank;  and 
Daniel  Cross  removed  his  business  to  the  other  store  in 
that  building. 

The  looked-for  coming  of  the  railroad  is  evidenced  by 
the  advertisement  of  R.  E.  &  E.  B.  Stevens,  who  "have 
on  hand  and  for  sale  at  depot  prices,"  etc.,  and  Porter 
Piper,  who  announces  "railroad  prices."  About  this  time 
a  well-known  temperance  advocate  entered  a  village  store. 
Several  friends  present  quietly  suggested  to  the  storekeeper 
to   "run  him"  a  little  on  his  new   temperance  ideas;   the 

13 


182  The  Old  Stores  of  FitcJibnrg. 

merchant  agreed,  and  started  the  fun  by  asking  the 
"Judge,"  as  they  called  him,  to  "take  something;  take 
anything  you  want,  Judge."  Looking  around  as  if  in 
doubt,  he  replied,  "I  believe  I  will  take  something;  I'll 
take  a  mackerel,"  and  helping  himself,  gravely  walked  out 
of  the  store,  leaving  the  storekeeper  to  stand  the  jokes  of 
the  crowd. 

In  1843  R.  C.  &  E.  B.  Stevens,  three  doors  below^  the 
Temperance  Hotel  (as  the  Fitchburg  House  was  called), 
were  succeeded  by  E.  B.  Stevens. 

Charles  Livermore  advertises  "Men's  stout  boots  for 
$1.87,  first  door  below  Methodist  church;"  Baldwin  &  Tol- 
man  sold  out  to  Joseph  Baldwin  on  West  street  and 
(Cahill)  Tolman  &  (Edwin)  Holmes  opened  a  new  store 
at  premises  formerl3^  occupied  by  Abraham  Haskell,  corner 
Main  and  Blossom  streets.  (Horace)  Hay  ward  &  Co. 
(N.  B.  Puffer)  "offer  boots  and  shoes  in  the  store  at  the 
head  of  the  Common,  near  the  l)rick  meeting  house."  A 
dry  goods  store  was  opened  in  Piper  block,  but  continued 
only  a  short  time. 

A  sign  of  the  times  is  the  following:  "Look  out  for 
the  engine  when  the  bell  rings."  A.  C.  &  W.  C.  Upton  ask 
all  w^ith  accounts  over  three  months  old  to  call  and  settle 
immediately. 

April,  1843,  S.  H.  Goodnow  sold  out  his  jewelry  store 
to  Haskins  &  Palmer.  Mr.  Palmer  retiring  in  October, 
the  business  was  continued  by  W.  E.  Haskins.  In  March, 
Durant  &  Holbrook's  furniture  store  was  assumed  by  L. 
L.  Holbrook  and  Wilder  &  Lovejoy  were  followed  by 
Edwin  Wilder.  B.  D.  Leverett  announces  that  he  is  at 
the  old  stand,  No.  4  Merchants  row.  In  September  he 
sold  out  his  grocery  store  to  J.  E.  Hunt,  a  few  doors 
below  the  Temperance  Hotel.  In  October  (Asa)  A.  and 
O.  (Oren)  Partridge  opened  a  boot  and  shoe  store  on  the 
site  of  the  old   Universalist  church,  built  in  1847.    George 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchbiirg.  183 

S.  Messenger's  bonnet  store  is  over  Caldwell's  store,  and 
in  November,  Miss  N.  Damon  advertises  milliner}^,  second 
door  south  of  the  Methodist  church;  (James  B.)  Lane  & 
(G.  A.)  Tha^'cr  bought  out  the  drug  store  of  Dr.  G.  C. 
Noble;  (Abel)  Stevens  &  (Aaron  F.)  Beaman  advertise 
butter,  cheese  and  country'  produce,  three  doors  below  the 
Fitchburg  Hotel. 

In  1844  Stevens  &  Beaman  sold  out  to  (A.  F.)  Bea- 
man &  (W.  C.)  Sturtevant,  who  offer  a  fine  line  of  gro- 
ceries; Richard  H.  Clemence  offers  hats  and  caps  at  the 
store  of  Charles  Livermore,  the  firm  being  changed  soon 
to  Clemence  &  Mann.  The  same  year  Porter  Piper  says: 
"The  cars  are  coming."  About  this  time  an  item  appeared 
in  the  Sentinel  referring  to  the  "sad  accident"  that  oc- 
curred at  the  store  of  A.  F.  Beaman,  and  from  its  serious 
tone  the  reader  was  led  to  expect  quite  a  calamity.  The 
item  wound  up  by  relating  that  a  whole  barrel  of  Old 
Medford  had  run  to  waste  through  a  leak. 

In  1844  J.  D.  Dresser  bought  out  A.  J.  Egery,  tailor, 
in  Towne  &  Piper's  block,  and  A.  W.  Osborne  &  Co. 
opened  a  new  dr\'  goods  store  at  No.  9  Merchants  row. 
The  brick  church  of  the  C.  C.  society,  completed  in  1844, 
had  the  first  floor  fitted  up  for  stores,  and  from  the 
granite  walls  of  the  lower  stor}^  the  stores  were  known 
as  "Granite  row."  In  November  of  this  year  James  B. 
Lane  bought  out  the  drug  store  of  Lane  &  Thayer,  and 
continued  the  business  in  Granite  row^,  and  the  same 
month  Jacob  Haskell  (formerly  of  Haskell  &  Snow),  and 
John  Upton  of  Fitchburg  opened  a  dry  and  fancy  goods 
store  at  No.  2  Granite  row.  Baldwin  &  Hunt  advertise 
their  new  family  grocer3^  store  ^it  first  store  from  Roll- 
stone  street,  under  the  brick  meeting  house.  Beaman  & 
Sturtevant,  just  below  Fitchburg  Hotel,  sold  out  to  A.  F. 
Beaman;  and  W.  E.  Haskins,  jeweler,  removed  to  No.  2 
Granite  row. 


184  The  Old  Stores  of  FitcJihurg. 

The  Boston  Almanac  of  1844  has  pages  devoted  to 
twelve  of  the  pnncii)al  cities  and  towns  of  the  state,  and 
Fitchburg,  which  was  then  becoming  somewhat  known 
(from  the  famous  inquiry,  "  Crocl^er,  where  is  Fitch- 
burg?") was  given  a  page.  A  full  list  of  its  town  officers, 
etc.,  is  given,  its  manufacturers,  population  8000,  fourteen 
public  schools  and  three  private  schools  or  academies; 
and  mentions  that  the  Boston  &  Fitchburg  railroad 
terminates  in  the  center  of  this  town,  has  been  completed 
to  Waltham,  and  it  is  calculated  will  be  finished  in  the 
autumn  of  this  3^ear.  "There  are  eleven  stores,  two  book 
stores,  two  jewelry  stores,  two  tin  shops,  one  hat  vStore, 
and  two  merchant  tailors." 

In  December,  1844,  (Nathan)  Tolman  &  (Sullivan  G.) 
Proctor  opened  an  iron  store  in  the  old  Stone  Mill  store 
on  Laurel  street;  Daniel  Emory  &  Co.  offer  hats  at  No.  7 
Merchants  row;  Leverett  &  Co.,  clothing,  at  No.  13 
Cheapside,  and  Thayer  &  Co.,  clothing,  next  door  to 
meat  market,  a  few  doors  south  of  Fitchburg  Hotel. 

In  March,  1845,  the  looked-for  railway  train  arrived 
from  Boston,  and  a  new  era  was  opened  to  the  merchants 
of  Fitchburg  by  the  impetus  given  to  the  growth  of  the 
town  and  the  increased  facilities  for  the  transaction  of 
business  over  the  slow  transportation  of  everything  by 
team  to  and  from  Boston.  The  old  country  store  of  our 
grandfiithers'  days  began  to  disappear,  as  did  also  the 
stage  coach  and  teamster,  and  like  them,  can  never  be 
revived.  It  filled  an  important  place  in  the  village  life  as 
the  meeting  place  of  the  townspeople. 

I  cannot  better  close  this  chapter  than  by  quoting 
some  reminiscences  of  those  \vho  remember  when  the 
country  store  was  in  its  glory.  Entering  through  a  nar- 
row door,  the  customer  found  himself  in  a  room  whose 
un])lastered  walls  and  ceiling  crossed  b^^  beams  were 
thickly  hung  with  all  sorts   of  goods.    The  shelves,  from 


The  Old  Stores  of  FitcJiburg.  185 

floor  to  ceiling,  were  filled  with  such  articles  as  a  plain 
people  would  call  for,  the  dry  goods  being  arranged  with 
an  eye  to  effect  with  different  colored  fabrics  in  contrast- 
ing streaks,  fresh  goods  upheaving  the  old  and  easily 
traced  in  strata,  while  fancy  articles  hung  from  hooks  in 
the  partitions  of  the  shelves.  From  under  the  counter 
came  cotton  batting  and  factory  yarn,  and  the  woolen 
skeins  spun  by  farmers'  wives.  There  was  no  show  win- 
dow display,  as  is  customary  at  the  present  (k2^y.  Many 
remember  the  calicoes  of  those  da3's,  deep  dyed  in  indigo- 
blue  and  red,  the  bandanna  handkerchiefs  mottled  with 
white,  the  cotton  thread,  knotted  in  hanks  and  exhausting 
the  best  range  of  color.  There  was  no  "commercial  trav- 
eler" in  those  days,  bringing  his  samples  to  the  mer- 
chant's door,  but  twice  a  year  the  trip  to  Boston  by 
stage  was  made  to  buy  new  stock.  Its  arrival  was  as 
great  an  event  as  the  "openings"  of  to-day,  the  women 
taking  samples  of  the  calicoes,  which  they  washed  and 
hung  from  their  windows  to  dry,  to  test  the  colors.  They 
were  makers  of  rare  bargains,  buying  stuffs  which  brought 
solid  comfort,  w^ashing  well  and  wearing  well ;  the  silk 
and  sheen,  which  were  their  real  texture,  were  imparted 
to  them  by  the  satisfaction  they  had  in  them.  Country 
maidens  fitted  their  calicoes  with  care  and  wore  them 
with  exquisite  neatness ;  if  they  overrated  the  fineness  of 
the  fabric,  their  worldly  ignorance  helped  them  to  be  sat- 
isfied and  happy  with  small  things.  In  a  row  of  drawers 
were  kept  the  few  pieces  of  silk  and  webs  of  lawn  and 
lace.  The  lawn  was  of  good  quality,  and  from  it,  when 
her  time  came,  she  who  had  never  known  gay  attire  was 
sure  to  have  her  last  robe  decorous^  fashioned  ,by  lov- 
ing neighbors.  From  the  lace  were  made  the  caps  worn 
by  matrons  past  middle  life,  the  borders  being  prettily 
wrought  with  floss.  Such  webs  were  apt  to  get  "shop 
worn,"  with  yellow  streaks  and  indelible  creases,  positive 


186  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg. 

toothmarks  of  time;  but  there  were  no  "bargain  sales" 
on  account  of  these  brands  of  long  poSvSession.  The  store- 
keeper always  assured  the  women  they  would  "wash" 
or  "wear"  out.  He  may  have  had  an  artist's  eye  for  the 
mellowing  of  his  goods,  and  loved  that  creamy  tint  which 
creeps  along  its  folds  into  the  meshes  of  old  lace — indeed 
into  all  long-woven,  und^'cd  fabrics. 

A  peculiar  odor  pervaded  the  place,  sometimes  of 
molasses,  sometimes  of  fish,  and  again  of  tea  and  coffee, 
with  a  faint  scent  of  snuff  or  a  strong  smell  of  New  Eng- 
land rum,  when  the  trap  door  to  the  cellar  was  lifted, 
where  were  also  kept  the  butter  and  pork.  The  spigot 
of  the  molasses  hogshead,  at  the  rear  of  the  store,  seemed 
always  drizzling  into  the  tin  measure,  which  in  summer 
time  made  an  excellent  fly  trap.  The  molasses  had  a 
yeasty  trick  of  foaming,  and  once  in  a  while  it  sugared. 

The  little  box  of  a  counting  room  had  its  walls  zig- 
zagged with  broad  tape,  a  receptacle  for  bills  and  letters, 
many  yellow  with  age,  while  the  uppermost,  with  faded 
labels,  had  served  as  roosts  for  generations  of  flies. 

The  candies  of  those  stores  were  a  delight  to  the  chil- 
dren, who  looked  at  the  red  and  white  sticks  in  the  brass- 
mounted  jars  with  longing  eyes.  These  candies  might  be 
rather  stale,  but  to  the  buyers  a  freshness  was  imparted 
to  them  by  their  rarity. 

The  country  store  served  as  the  village  debating 
society,  and  around  the  stove  of  winter  evenings  the  dis- 
cussion was  of  topics  forestalling  the  weather,  of  farm 
stock  and  produce,  of  sickness,  of  the  jn-ices,  praising  the 
work  of  wives  and  daughters,  and  criticising  the  latest 
sermon.  The  people  loved  discussion,  and  party  spirit  ran 
high.  Affairs  of  state  and  nation  were  handled  with  crude 
but  clear  logic;  especially  before  town  meeting  many  im- 
portant questions  were  earnestly  considered.  Many  of 
the  company    were    tireless    whittlers,   keeping    the    store- 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg.  187 

keeper  well  supplied  with  kindlings.  Unoccupied  composure 
is  said  to  be  the  outcome  of  polite  society,  and  the  whittling 
of  the  store  loiterer  simph'  the  force  of  the  habit  for  work 
oozing  from  his  fingers'  ends.  The  store  of  a  late  autumn 
day  was  often  like  a  miniature  fair,  and  the  storekeeper 
and  his  clerk  had  not  a  minute  to  spare  from  his  twine 
or  yardstick.  The  farmers'  wagons,  driving  up  with  their 
butter,  eggs  and  produce,  departed  with  lighter  bundles, 
and  the  occupants  with  quicker  steps,  they  having  been 
enlivened  by  the  sight  of  new  goods,  the  meeting  with 
old  friends,  hearing  the  latest  news,  and  going  awaj^ 
refreshed.  Promptly  at  9  o'clock  the  store  closed  its  door 
and  talkers  and  listeners  went  home. 

How  many  can  remember  such  a  store,  over  whose 
threshold  the  stream  of  village  life  in  by-gone  days  had 
worn  its  path?  All  this  seems  homely,  but  we  may 
search  in  vain  to-day  in  our  cit3^  streets  for  the  mellow, 
pleasant  aspect  of  the  old-time  countrj^  store,  with  its 
hospitality,  simplicity  and  comradeship. 


THE   OLD    vSTORES    OF    FITCHBURG. 
PART  II.    1845-1864. 

Read  at  a  Meeting  of  the  Society,  May  21,  1900. 
BY    FREDERICK    A.   CURRIER. 


The  Worcester  County  Gazette  in  1845  has  the  fol- 
io whig  : 

"Fitchburg  has  grown  rapidly  in  the  last  two  years,  and  will  doubt- 
less continue  to  grow.  It  can  hardly  be  called  a  beautiful  place,  not 
having  a  single  element  of  beauty.  It  can't  be  said  to  be  laid  out  at 
all,  but  the  first  settlers  built  where  the  footpaths  of  the  cattle  led, 
from  the  hills  to  the  stream  which  winds  through  the  valley.  There  are 
some  good  buildings,  but  most  of  them  have  the  appearance  of  having 
been  erected  in  the  dark,  the  proprietor  not  knowing  that  any  other 
one  was  building  in  his  neighborhood.  We  dislike  a  monotonous  same- 
ness such  as  characterizes  Philadelphia,  but  the  other  extreme  is  no  less 
disagreeable." 

The  Sentinel  replies:  "The  editor's  account  of  the 
appearance  and  arrangement  of  our  town  shows  plainly 
that  he  has  no  taste  for  the  picturesque  and  l3eautiful. 
Why,  he  is  the  first  who  has  ever  been  known  to  find 
fault  with  our  beautiful  village." 

In  1845  Torrey  &  Wood's  block,  corner  of  Main  and 
Central  streets,  was  erected.  A.  F.  Beaman  removed  to 
the  store  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Benjamin;  J.  F.  Stiles  com- 
menced his  long  business  career  in  the  store  now  occupied 
by  K.  R.  Conn,  which  he  occupied  with  S.  H.  Goodnow, 
jeweler,   and    Stephen    &    Charles    Shepley    removed    their 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchbiirg.  189 

bookstore  and  the  post-office  to  the  store  now  occupied 
by  Rogers'  market.  Abel  Manning  removed  his  clothing 
store  to  first  door  below  Fitchburg  Hotel.  Baldwin  & 
Hunt,  Granite  row,  announce  a  well-selected  stock,  con- 
stantly being  replenished  b3^  railroad,  so  that  they  can 
compete  with  any  store  in  the  country,  and  would  espec- 
ially mention : 

"  Bleached  sperm, — fall  and  winter — and  whale  oil,  at  lower  prices  than 
at  New  Bedford;  pork,  beef,  grain,  butter,  cheese  taken  in  exchange  for 
groceries.  Three  qualities  of  codfish,  smoked  and  pickled  halibut,  No. 
1  and  2  mackerel,  salmon,  shad,  herring;  salt  beef  and  pork;  lard,  ham, 
tripe,  and  eggs ;  butter,  cheese ;  assorted  sizes  of  nails,  hardware, 
wooden  ware,  stone  and  earthern  ware;  apples  by  the  barrel  for  winter 
use;  pears,  lemons,  and  raisins;  castile,  soda,  extra  family,  and  fanc^' 
soaps;  dipped,  mould,  and  sperm  candles;  Turks  Island,  Liverpool, 
Syracuse,  and  fine  salt ;  figs,  currants,  Sultan  raisins,  citron,  nuts  of 
various  kinds;  sago,  tapioca,  and  Irish  moss;  and  many  other  articles 
not  generally  found  in  a  variety  grocery  store." 

September,  1845,  D.  H.  &  C.  H.  Merriam  offer  pianos 
for  sale ;  Pratt  &  Hunt  bought  out  the  store  of  B.  Snow, 
opposite  the  Fitchburg  Hotel;  L.  H.  Stock  well  opened  a 
new  china  and  glassware  store,  corner  of  Main  and  Prich- 
ard  streets,  now  Estabrook's;  Caleb  Harding  w^as  "near 
the  depot:"  Charles  Sawtelle  made  boots  and  shoes  on 
West  street ;  Edwin  Holmes  bought  out  Tolman  &  Holmes, 
comer  of  Main  and  Blossom  streets;  (Horace)  Hayward 
&  (Rensselaer)  Bacon  offer  boots  and  shoes  at  No.  4  Mer- 
chants row^  opposite  post-office ;  George  Safford  opened 
a  new  bakery  on  North  street,  and  the  old  Circle  street 
bakery'  was  in  the  name  of  Wilson  &  Pride.  In  October, 
1845,  Tolman  &  Proctor  announce  the  removal  of  their 
iron  store  from  opposite  the  stone  mill  to  the  basement, 
corner  of  Main  and  Blossom  streets  (under  Holmes' 
store);  W.  Hinds  offers  clothing  at  the  sign  of  the  "Big 
Pants,"  just  west  of  the  American  House.  Ma}',  1845, 
E.  F.  Bailey  bought  out  the  bookstore  and  binder}^  of  P. 


190  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchbiirg. 

A.  Crocker,  under  the  Baptist  church.  Cahill  Tohnan, 
John  P.  Sabin  and  S,  H.  EvaUvS,  as  C.  Tohnan  &  Co., 
opened  a  new  store,  corner  of  Main  and  Laurel  streets, 
now  Chamberlain  &  Huntress'  corner,  for  West  India 
goods  and  groceries;  (Nathaniel  S.)  Boutelle  &  (Charles) 
Livermore,  at  the  sign  of  the  "Golden  Boot,"  opposite 
the  Washington  House,  offer  every  variet}^  from  the  most 
delicate  French  slipper  to  heavy  stogy  boots,  at  unpar- 
alleled prices.  (Asa)  Farwell  &  (T.  C.)  Caldwell  were 
proprietors  of  the  old  Caldwell  store.  Amos  Oakman 
offers  hats  in  Torrey  &  Wood's  block,  and  J.  Richardson, 
boots  and  shoes.  No.  9  Merchants  row,  opposite  the  post- 
office.  (Ira)  Carleton  &  (A.  O.)  Carter  dealt  in  flour  and 
grain  two  doors  south  of  Fitchburg  Hotel. 

After  the  modest  attempt  of  1835  no  more  directories 
of  Fitchburg  were  issued  until  October,  1845,  when 
Stephen  &  Charles  Shepley  commenced  publishing  the 
Fitchburg  Almanac  and  Advertiser,  which  was  continued 
until  1872,  when  the  present  series  of  directories  were 
started  by  the  Sentinel  Printing  Company. 

In  March,  1846,  Benjamin  Butman  and  Emory  Wash- 
burn, both  of  Worcester,  as  Benj.  Butman  &  Co.,  bought 
out  the  store  of  C.  Tolman  &  Co.,  Main  and  Laurel 
streets;  Ira  Carleton  bought  out  the  grain  store  of  Carl- 
ton &  Carter;  A.  Farwell  and  H.  H.  Brigham,  at  one 
door  west  of  the  Baptist  church.  West  street,  offer  a  full 
line  of  vegetable  medicines  at  wholesale  and  retail ;  Oliver 
S.  Tilden  and  Thomas  Oakman  sold  paints  and  oils  on 
Central  street;  Asa  and  Oren  Partridge,  boots  and  shoes, 
one  door  west  of  the  Calvinistic  meeting  house.  In  April 
W.  E.  Haskins,  jeweler,  removed  from  Granite  row  to  Old 
Cit}',  near  American  House;  Hildreth,  Sampson  &  Co. 
bought  out  Sampson  &  Derb^^'s  market,  under  (old)  town 
hall,  and  O.  N.  Pond  sold  dry  goods  and  groceries  at  the 
old  West  street  store.     In  November  Allen  Harris,  William 


TJie  Old  Stores  of  PitcJibnrg.  191 

H.  Harris  and  Joseph  Wilson,  as  A.  and  W.  H.  Harris, 
removed  their  grain  business  to  the  new  store  near  the 
railroad  track,  now  occupied  by  C.  A.  Cross  &  Co.  In 
May  of  the  same  year  appears  the  following: 

"Notice.  O.  N.  Pond  &  Co.  (Jonathan  Pond),  West  India  goods 
and  groceries,  at  the  old  stand  of  O.  N.  Pond,  Carlton's  building,  a  few 
doors  west  of  the  Baptist  meeting  house.  N.  B.  The  '  Blind  Man,' 
grateful  for  past  favors  and  soliciting  a  continuance,  would  say  he  is 
the  agent  for  Gris wold's  Family  Salve  and  Plaster." 

A.  W.  Hildreth  &  Co.,  from  Boston,  importers  and  re- 
tailers of  dry  goods,  announce  that  they  will  open  a  new- 
store  under  the  American  House  and  "sell  ^xy  goods 
cheaper  than  an^^  other  concern  within  fifty  miles."  Judg- 
ing from  items  in  the  papers  referring  to  "irresponsible 
traders,"  etc.,  this  announcement  did  not  amount  to 
much,  and  it  appears  doubtful  if  thej'  ever  opened  the 
store. 

In  May  (Leonard  B.)  Hill  and  (Alba  C.)  Wright 
opened  a  gun  store,  with  the  sign  of  the  "golden  gun," 
but  after  a  few  months  A.  C.  Wright  became  the  sole 
proprietor.  O.  N.  Pond  &  Co.  added  "Fashionable  tailor- 
ing to  their  business,  with  Thomas  Saul  as  cutter."  B.  F. 
Otis  &  Co.  opened  the  Fitchburg  boot  and  shoe  store  a  few 
doors  south  of  the  Fitchburg  Hotel.  Edwin  Holmes,  Roll- 
stone  block,  advertises  for  "Ten  or  twelve  girls  to  weave 
Neapolitan  lace  for  bonnets;  looms  furnished  if  desired." 
D.  Emor}'  &  Co.,  7  Merchants  row,  opposite  postofiice,  at 
their  hat  store,  advertise  furs,  enumerating  fitch,  Ijmx, 
gray  squirrel,  cross  fox,  gray  fox,  chinchilla,  rock  sable, 
genet,  coney,  imitation  lynx,  squirrel  ditto,  etc."  Edwin 
S.  Taylor  opened  a  drug  store  in  Rollstone  block.  Hinds 
&  Arnold  followed  W.  Hinds,  Rollstone  block,  as  clothing 
and  commission  merchants. 

In  April  (George  W.)  Hunt  and  (John)  Gilbert  bought 
out  the  furniture  business   of   Augustus   Rice,   two    doors 


192  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg. 

south  of  the  Washington  House.  Mr.  George  W.  Hunt, 
after  a  short  time,  became  sole  proprietor.  In  May 
George  Bowker  bought  out  the  Bowker  &  Atkinson 
paint  store,  old  city.  In  June  H.  B.  Gibson  offers  paper 
hangings  a  few  doors  south  of  the  Trinitarian  church, 
and  (John)  Garfield  and  (Horace  R.)  Rice  bought  out  the 
hardware  store  of  Whitcomb  &  Rice,  opposite  the  Fitch- 
burg Hotel.  In  December  James  F.  Stiles,  in  the  follow- 
ing "Particular  Notice:" 

"  Respectfully  solicits  the  attention  of  certain  ladies  who  niaj'  be 
interested  in  the  following,  (and  whose  names  he  will  forbear  to  men- 
tion at  present).  The  lady  who  one  evening,  some  time  since,  took  a 
pair  of  white  kid  gloves  and  forgot  to  pay  for  them ;  the  lad}-  who  took 
the  whole  piece  of  linen  Smyrna  edging;  the  one  who  took  the  nice 
thread  edging  three  or  four  weeks  ago,  marked  $1.25  per  yard,  and  the 
one  that  took,  about  the  same  time,  that  piece  of  white  ribbon  with 
blue  edge;  and  the  one  that  last  summer  took  the  box  containing  one 
or  two  pairs  of  spun  silk  hose,  will  save  trouble  by  calling  and  settling 
for  the  same." 

L.  M.  Pratt  &  Co.  followed  Pratt  &  Hunt  at  the  old 
B.  Snow  store;  Henry  J.  Lowe,  jeweler,  was  at  the  corner 
of  Main  and  Central  streets;  Crehore  &  Smith  offer  dry 
goods  and  groceries  in  Towne  &  Piper's  block ;  a  certain 
store  ]nit  out  an  advertisement  offering  to  sell  goods  "at 
cost  and  more  too."  (H.  B.)  Newman  &  (D.  H.)  Bailey 
sold  out  the  stove  and  tin  business,  Bowker  building.  Old 
City,  to  Harris  B.  Newman.  Lawrin  Pratt  sold  dry  goods, 
boots  and  shoes,  and  crockery,  one  door  west  of  Rollstone 
block;  Isaac  Hartwell  and  W.  M.  Parks  succeeded  to  the 
marble  store  of  John  Parks,  on  Main  street;  Charles 
Marsh  &  Co.  followed  Benjamin  Butman,  corner  Main 
and   Laurel   streets. 

The  Sentinel  in  1846  says:  "Not  long  ago  a  certain 
party,  who  was  not  very  prompt  pay,  ordered  a  suit  of 
clothes  from  a  down  town  tailor.     Calling  at  the  proper 


The  Old  Stores  of  FitcJiburg.  193 

time,  he  asked  if  they  were  done.  'Done?  no,  sir,'  saj'S 
the  tailor,  '  how  could  3'ou  expect  them  unless  you  first 
secured  me  ?  You  don't  pay  your  debts  and  I  cannot  afford 
to  give  you  a  suit  of  clothes.'  Our  friend  stared  at  the 
tailor,  and  stepping  back  with  a  look  and  manner  that 
was  indescribable,  replied:  'Well,  that's  bad,  for  somebod\^ 
has  got  to  do  it.' " 

In  1846  the  bonnet  and  millinery  business  of  George 
S.  Messenger  was  removed  to  the  rear  of  the  establish- 
ment of  L.  M.  Hunt  &  Co.,  with  an  entrance  through 
their  store.  In  November  Enoch  Paige  became  the  pro- 
prietor of  the  furniture  store  of  George  W.  Hunt,  in 
Towne  &  Piper's  block.  Hayward  &  Bacon  dissolved, 
and  (Horace)  Hayward,  (Charles  H.)  Foster  &  Co. 
(Samuel  Russell)  continued  the  boot  and  shoe  business  at 
the  old  stand,  No.  4  Merchants  row,  opposite  the  post- 
office.  Baldwin  &  Hunt,  at  No.  1  Granite  row,  offer  the 
following  prices : 

" Teas— Souchong,  23  to  33  cents;  Young  Hyson,  45  to  75  cents;  Old 
Hyson,  62V^  cents  to  $1.00;  Ningyong,  30  to  40  cents;  Pouchong,  42 
to  60  cents.  Coffees — Pure  ground,  10  to  121/2  cents';  not  ground,  7  to 
12  cents.  Sugar— New  Orleans,  SVa  to  8  cents;  Porto  Rico,  7  to  8V2 
cents;  brown  Havana,  8  to  10  cents;  white  Havana,  10  to  12  cents; 
pulverized  and  crushed,  13  to  14  cents;  loaf,  double  and  single,  12  to 
14  cents.  Molasses— Havana  sweet,  25  to  30  cents ;  New  Orleans,  28  to 
33  cents;  Trinidad,  28  to  33  cents;  Porto  Rico,  28  to  35  cents;  sugar 
house,  37  to  45  cents.  Their  express  wagon  will  always  be  on  hand  to 
accommodate  those  in  the  village  who  ma^-  wish  to  have  their  goods 
sent." 

This  was  the  beginning  of  the  now  extensive  delivery 
custom  of  to-day. 

In  1847  E.  Garfield,  Jr.,  succeeded  to  the  hardware 
store  of  Garfield  &  Rice.  In  April  Jonathan  Pond,  agent, 
opened  the  store  on  West  street,  near  the  (old)  Baptist 
church,  with  a  new   stock   of  West   India  goods   and  gro- 


194  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg. 

ceries,  announcing  that  "  The  proceeds  of  this  establish- 
ment are  for  the  benefit  of  Jonathan  Pond."  In  Novem- 
ber Aldrich  &  Pond  became  the  proprietors.  In  January 
W.  H.  Halves  opened  an  umbrella  store,  offering  every 
shade  and  style  of  umbrellas,  parasols  and  parasolettes, 
opposite  the  postoffice.  In  March  George  S.  Messenger  & 
Co.  went  out  of  Ijusiness,  their  milliner}^  being  added  by 
L.  M.  Hunt  &  Co.  to  their  line  of  goods.  A.  O.  Carter 
bought  out  the  grain  business  of  A.  and  W.  H.  Harris 
near  the  depot.  In  April  (Elisha)  Garfield  and  (Charles 
A.)  Bullock  followed  PI  Garfield,  Jr.,  at  the  hardware 
store  opposite  Fitchburg  Hotel.  Baldwin  &  Hunt  adver- 
tise that  the}'  "Want  all  bags,  baskets  and  dishes,  etc.,  of 
tho.se  persons  who  have  borrowed  and  not  returned  them ; 
and  that  all  persons  who  will  attend  to  the  above  call 
immediately  shall  be  rewarded  by  having  the  above  arti- 
cles credited  to  them,  and  also  the  privilege  of  receiving 
another  borrowed  favor." 

In  1847  Central  Block  (just  west  of  our  present  city 
hall)  was  built  by  Snow  &  Wood,  and  the  stores  were 
occupied  in  September  by  A.J.  Brown  &  Co.  (A.J.  Brown, 
J.  C.  Wyman,  H.  R.  Phelps,  B.  S.  Proctor),  crockery, 
glassware,  etc.,  at  No.  1;  the^^  also  had  a  large  store  in 
Worcester;  J.  J.  Hardon,  drj-  goods  and  carpets,  at  No.  2; 
E.  F.  Bailey,  bookstore  and  bindery  at  No.  3,  up  stairs; 
W.  H.  Ta,vlor's  hat  store  at  No.  4;  and  (J.)  Gibson  & 
(Levi  G.)  Fessenden,  music  store,  up  stairs.  In  May 
Thomas  Saul  &  Son  (William  H.  Saul)  opened  a  tailoring 
establishment  in  a  new  building  on  West  street,  a  few 
doors  from  the  Unitarian  church.  In  July  H.  R.  Rice 
opened  a  new  furniture  store  under  old  town  hall,  and 
S.  H.  Goodnow  sold  out  to  Goodnow  &  (H.  W.)  Smith, 
jewelers,  in  Torre}^  &  Wood's  block.  "Give  'em  fits,"  says 
the  advertisement  of  H.  M.  Graves,  the  hatter.  A.  K.  Litch 
followed  Newton  &  Litch,  hardware  and  tin  shop,  opposite 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchbiirg.  195 

the  postoffice.  It  is  related  of  a  certain  bookstore  in  this 
city  that  one  day  an  awkward  country  lad  came  in  and 
asked  the  proprietor,  "You  sell  books,  don't  you?  "  "Yes," 
was  the  reply,  and  he  was  referred  to  the  tables  and  in- 
formed as  to  the  prices  for  the  different  lots.  After  look- 
ing them  over  carefully  for  some  time  he  remarked,  "I 
guess  I  won't  take  any  to-day."  "A  ver}^  safe  conclu- 
sion," dryW  observed  the  merchant. 

In  1847  the  Universalist  church  building,  corner  of 
Main  and  RoUstone  streets,  was  completed,  and  the  stores 
in  the  first  story  were  taken  by  (H.  W.)  Haskell  &  (G.  D.) 
Harris  for  gentlemen's  furnishing  goods;  Asa  and  Oren 
Partridge,  boots  and  shoes ;  Joseph  Pierce,  seed  store  and 
agricultural  warerooms;  and  Duprez  &  Britton's  provi- 
sion store.  In  October  J.  J.  Hardon  announces:  "I  can 
afford  and  will  sell,  for  cash,  25  per  cent,  less  than  any 
other  concern  in  this  town  or  county."  In  August  Ezra 
B.  Rockwood  opened  his  bonnet  store,  corner  of  Main  and 
Prichard  streets.  In  April  Sidney  D.  Willis  bought  out  the 
furniture  store  of  Enoch  Paige,  in  Towne  &  Paper's  block, 
and  the  "Old  City  Furniture  Store"  was  opened  at  No. 
6  Rollstone  block.  In  November  H.  R.  Rice  took  in  Robert 
G.  Parker  as  a  partner,  and  they  soon  after  removed  their 
furniture  store  from  the  old  town  house  to  rooms  over 
Garfield's  hardware  store,  on  site  of  the  present  Phtenix 
building.  (J.  W.)  Leverett  &  Co.  (W.  S.  Merritt),  offer 
clothing  opposite  Jaquith  &  Comee's  Hotel.  In  April  Gris- 
wold  &  Farnsworth  succeeded  Wilson  &  Stevens  in  Towne 
&  Piper's  block.  In  September  (S.  G.)  Frost  &  (Charles 
H.)  Benton  advertise  harnesses  and  trunks  at  the  old 
stand  of  David  A.  Hale  on  Central  street.  In  July  Charles 
Marsh  &  Co.  (R.  F.  Stevens)  sold  out  to  (John)  Colburn, 
(Waldo)  Wallace,  and  (N.  M.  George),  but  after  a  short 
time  Mr.  Col1)urn  and  Mr.  George  withdrew  and  the  busi- 
ness was  carried   on   by   Waldo   Wallace,   at   the   "general 


196  The  Old  Stores  of  FitcJibiirg. 

store,"   comer  of   Main   and    Laurel  streets,   Mr.   Wallace 
iidclin*^  an  extensive  stock  of  agricultural  implements. 

In  1848  Haskell  &  Upton  dissolved,  John  Upton  con- 
tinuing the  dry  goods  business  at  Granite  row;  Isaac 
Hartwell  was  succeeded  by  Hartwell  &  (George)  Reed  at 
the  marble  store.  In  September  (E.  B.)  Gee  &  (E.  A.) 
Huntley  sold  out  their  general  store  on  West  street  to 
E.  B.  Gee,  who  continued  the  business.  J.  C.  Moulton 
established  his  Ijusiness  of  the  "art  preservative"  and 
opened  his  daguerreotype  rooms,  to  whose  work  we  owe 
so  much  pleasure  from  his  faithful  reproduction  of  the 
features  of  our  city,  and  the  likenesses  of  many  friends 
who  have  passed  away.     The  director3^  of  1848  says: 

"Every  branch  of  business  looks  flourishing,  and  people  have  ap- 
parently more  confidence  in  the  permanence  of  business  and  general 
increase  of  the  place  than  ever  before.  In  fact  our  'Eden  mid  the  hills' 
bids  fair  to  be  all  we  have  ever  predicted." 

Horace  Hay  ward,  opposite  the  postoffice,  advertises 
boot  and  shoe  and  leather  store,  pegs,  nails  and  shoe  find- 
ings. Andrew  Whitney  opened  his  music  rooms,  second 
door  above  the  bank,  in  Towne  &  Piper's  block;  and  A.  & 
O.  Partridge  were  succeeded  by  Partridge,  Sawyer  &  Co. 
at  the  boot  and  shoe  store  under  the  Universalist  church; 
George  A.  Pitts  sold  clothing  at  Rollstone  block.  In  Jul^^ 
A.  F.  Beaman  was  succeeded  by  Beaman  &  (J.  D.) 
Hutchinson  at  the  grocery  store,  corner  of  Main  and  Cen- 
tral streets ;  Stevens  &  Farnsworth  bought  out  the  grocery 
business  of  Wilson  &  Stevens,  in  Towne  &  Piper's  block. 
In  May  A.  K.  Litch  took  in  Charles  Sawtelle  as  a  part- 
ner, and  the  hardware  business  opposite  the  postoffice  was 
continued  by  Litch  &  Sawtelle;  J.  L.  Tenney  bought  out 
the  shoe  store  of  Charles  Sawtelle  on  West  street;  and 
in  June  A.  Smith  succeeded  Boutelle  &  Livermore  at  the 
sign  of  the  "golden  boot."  In  May  J.  W.  Partridge 
opened  a  stock  of  milliner3'  at  the  store  formerly  occupied 


The  Old  Stores  of  FitcJiburg.  197 

by  Leverett  &  Co.  On  January  1  Ira  Carleton  admitted 
A.  R.  Ordway  as  a  partner,  and  the  grain  business  was 
conducted  l)y  Ira  Carleton  &  Co.  In  Jul}^  L.  G.  Fessenden 
bought  the  music  store  of  Gibson  &  Fessenden.  In  Octo- 
ber Pride  &  Wright  bought  out  Gates  &  Pride,  at  the 
Circle  Street  Bakery;  Daniel  Emory  succeeded  D.  Emory  & 
Co.  (Charles  Proux)  at  the  hat  store;  J.  C.  Stimpson 
opened  a  fish  market  opposite  the  postoffice. 

An  old  merchant  tells  the  following  story :  One  daj^  a 
woman  called  at  the  store  and  asked  for  "two  dozen  eggs, 
and  they  must  be  laid  by  black  hens."  The  grocer  was 
puzzled,  not  knowing  how  to  tell  the  difference  between 
black  hens'  eggs  and  those  of  white  or  speckled  ones. 
She  at  once  said  she  could  tell  them  without  an}-  trouble, 
which  she  did.  On  looking  into  the  basket  the  merchant 
suggestingly  said,  "Well,  madam,  it  seems  to  me  that  black 
hens  laid  all  the  big  eggs."  "Yes,"  she  replied,  "that's  the 
way  I  can  tell  them." 

Another  case  where  the  joke  was  on  the  storekeeper  is 
told  of  the  old  Caldwell  store.  One  day  in  walked  a  very 
quiet-spoken  man,  with  a  basket,  £ind  asked  if  the3'  were 
bu3'ing  eggs  and  how  much  the^-  paid ;  on  being  informed 
he  inquired  if  they  did  not  pay  any  more  for  extra  large 
ones.  "No,"  says  Mr.  C,  "only  one  price;  an  ^^^  is  an 
^^^\'^  upon  which  our  innocent  friend  replied  that  if  he 
could  not  do  an}^  different  he  might  have  them,  and  handed 
over  a  basket  full  of  pullets'  eggs. 

On  September  1,  1848,  Joseph  Baldwin  succeeded  Bald- 
win &  Hunt  at  the  grocery  store  in  Granite  row,  and  L. 
J.  Gibson  opened  ijaper-hanging  warerooms  opposite  the 
postoffice.  J.  M.  Bond  &  Co.  (J.  M.  Collier),  butchers, 
were  in  the  basement,  corner  of  Main  and  Central  streets. 
In  June  the  firm  of  Stephen  &  Charles  Shcpley  was  dis- 
solved by  the  death  of  Charles  SheplcA^  and  the  bookstore 
was  continued   by   Stephen   Shepley.     C.  B.  Dupee,  as  suc- 

14 


198  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchhurg. 

cesser  to  Dupee  &  Britton,  under  the  ITniversalist  church, 
promises  his  customers  that  so  long  as  good  meat  is  to 
be  had  at  Brighton  market  he  will  furnish  them  with 
specimens  of  the  same. 

In  1849  (C.  A.)  Bullock  &  (W.  H.)  Dudley  bought 
out  the  hardware  store  of  C.  A.  Bullock;  but  Mr.  Dudley 
continued  but  a  very  short  time.  Ira  Carleton  &  Co.  (A. 
R.  Ordway)  removed  their  grain  business  to  the  store 
under  the  Universalist  church,  and  H.  R.  Phelps  opened  a 
furniture  store  in  Central  block. 

"If  you  don't  see  what  you  want  ask  for  it,"  was  a 
favorite  sign  displayed  in  many  stores.  But  when  a  man 
went  into  a  certain  store,  the  proprietor  of  which  was 
not  very  prompt  pay,  and  asked  for  a  settlement  of  his 
bill  that  had  been  outstanding  for  over  six  months,  and 
was  shown  out  through  the  front  door  with  many  ex- 
cuses, he  was  of  the  opinion  that  all  signs  fail  in  a  dry 
time. 

In  May,  1849,  H.  G.  Maynard  opened  a  new  book- 
store opposite  the  Fitchburg  Hotel,  announcing:  "Rags 
taken  in  exchange  for  goods."  Z.  P.  Spaulding  &  Co. 
occupied  a  part  of  the  hardware  store  of  C.  A.  Bullock  & 
Co.  for  pumps,  copper  work  and  lead  pipe.  E.  H.  May- 
nard opened  a  new  boot  and  shoe  store  opposite  the 
Fitchburg  Hotel.  The  same  year  Thomas  Clark  opened 
the  store  at  West  Fitchburg  so  long  known,  later,  as  the 
Baldwin  store  and  now  as  the  Lace}'  store. 

The  flood  of  1850  swept  away  the  store  of  I  vers 
Phillips  in  Rockville  so  suddenly  that  the  clerk,  Mr.  Car- 
ter, leaving  the  money  in  the  drawer,  seizing  the  books 
from  the  counter,  ran  for  the  door,  when  the  books  were 
swept  from  his  arms  and  he  onh'  escaped  by  springing 
into  a  tree  and  remaining  until  the  water  sulisided. 

In  the  directory  of  1850  appears  the  following:  "J.  S. 
Stanley  having  fitted  up  convenient   rooms  for  the  accoin- 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg.  199 

modation  of  the  lovers  of  '  cleanliness,  the  first  of  virtues 
after  godliness,'  respectfulh'  solicits  the  patronage  of  the 
public  to  that  luxury,  the  most  conducive  to  the  health 
and  happiness  of  those  who  indulge  in  it,  at  his  bath- 
house. Cottage  square,  rear  of  Central  block.  Shoe  mend- 
ing done  on  reasonable  terms." 

In  June,  1850,  Charles  Johnson  bought  out  the  book- 
bindery,  and  the  bookstore  of  Bailey  &  Johnson  was  dis- 
continued. Charles  W.  Gellett  opened  a  wholesale  oil  store 
near  the  railroad  depot,  announcing:  "Having  been  en- 
gaged in  the  wdialing  business  for  eighteen  years,  and 
being  acquainted  with  the  different  qualities  of  oil,  etc." 
W.  H.  Carter  was  the  next  proprietor  of  the  Railroad 
Grain  Store.  In  April  George  Hall  opened  a  thread  store, 
second  floor  of  the  Livermore  building,  opposite  Washing- 
ton Hotel,  and  H.  G.  Ma^mard  removed  his  bookstore 
to  the  corner  of  Main  and  Central  streets.  A.  Smith  ad- 
vertises "Gent's  long-legged  Calcutta  and  cow-hide  boots." 
S.  D.  Willis  says  he  has  found  that  "  Monej^  is  a  power; 
and  when  the  read^'  cash  comes,  furniture  can't  stand 
before  it, — two  doors  below  the  Washington  Hotel."  W, 
G.  Coggshall  opened  the  "Cheap  Cash  Store,"  first  door 
west  of  Rollstone  block,  wnth  foreign  and  domestic  dr\^ 
goods ;  W.  H.  Hayes  has  the  Fitchburg  Umbrella  and 
Music  Store  opposite  the  postofiice.  In  the  same  year 
Charles  Ide  bought  out  the  grocery  store  of  Edwin 
Holmes,  corner  of  Main  and  Blossom  streets.  The  Fitch- 
burg Hotel  block  was  completed  in  the  winter  of  1850, 
and  the  Sentinel  in  January,  1851,  sa3's: 

"The  stores  were  taken  by  good  responsible  men,  all  our  own  citi- 
zens, and  furnished  in  exceeding  good  taste,  each  adapted  to  the  kind  of 
business  to  be  followed  in  it.  The  first  or  north  store  has  been  taken 
by  James  B.  Lane,  where  he  will  continue  the  business  of  selling  drugs, 
medicines,  dye  stuffs,  paints,  oils,  etc.  The  second  store  has  been  selected 
b_v  Charles  Livermore,  who  will  continue  his   business  of  manufacturing 


200  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchbiirg. 

and  selling  boots  and  shoes.  The  third  store  is  opened  by  Abel  Man- 
ning, who  will  continue  to  respond  to  any  calls  for  men's  or  boys'  inner 
and  outer  clothing,  sale  or  custom  made;  if  the  latter  we  need  give  no 
assurance  that  the  work  will  be  well  done.  In  the  next  store  W.  H. 
Taylor  will  carry  on  the  hat,  cap,  glove,  and  fur  business.  He  will  keep 
himself  in  readiness,  as  formerly,  to  cover  the  'top  piece'  of  poor 
humanitj'  with  anything  from  a  shaggy  bearskin  cap  to  one  of  Aborn's 
best.  The  fifth  store  is  taken  b3-  George  Hall,  who  will  keep  constantly 
on  hand  'the  thousand  and  one'  articles  that  are  so  indispensable  to 
all   our  ladv   friends." 

In  1851  Edward  Aldrich  bought  out  the  iron  store  of 
Nathan  Tolman  in  Rollstone  block,  and  Choate  &  Hal- 
lowell  bought  out  the  drug  store  of  E.  E.  Taylor,  Roll- 
stone  block,  but  Mr.  Hallowell's  death,  a  few  months 
later,  left  Thomas  B.  Choate  sole  proprietor. 

The  first  coal  dealer  was  Asher  Green,  who  in  1851 
supplied  it  at  his  iron  foundry,  on  Water  street.  In  May, 
1851,  Solomon  Pratt  opened  a  new  dry  goods  store  a 
few  rods  west  of  the  depot,  about  where  Wallace's  shoe 
store  now  is.  C.  M.  Lane  &  Co.,  meat  market,  and  W. 
A.  Crane,  fish  market,  were  in  the  basement  of  Rollstone 
block,  corner  of  Blossom  street,  Aldrich's  iron  store  hav- 
ing removed  to  about  where  Albee  &  Lyons  now  are.  On 
October  1,  1851,  Rufus  M.  Huntley'  bought  out  the  store 
of  the  New  England  Protective  Union,  Div.  No.  76,  in 
Rollstone  block.  In  May  Stockwell  &  Davidson  succeeded 
L.  H.  Davidson,  domestic  and  fancy  goods,  corner  of  Main 
and  Prichard  streets,  but  in  July,  sold  out  to  M.  N. 
Davidson.  H.  C.  Harris  &  Co.  bought  out  the  crockery 
store  of  L.  J.  Gibson,  Central  block,  and  added  foreign 
and  domestic  dry  goods.  (A.  P.)  Kimball  and  (J.  G.) 
Whitcomb  bought  out  Henry  J.  Lowe,  jeweler,  corner  of 
Main  and  Central  streets.  On  October  1,  1851,  Joseph 
Cushing  established  the  Fitchburg  Lumber  Yard,  and 
Mcjntire  &  W\)rks  advertised  grain  and  meal  at  the 
Pratt  mill,  at  site  now   occupied  by   F.  F.  Woodward   & 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg.  201 

Co.  The  same  year  Macullar,  Williams  &  Co.  of  Wor- 
cevSter  opened   a  clothing  bazaar  at  No.  4  Central  block ; 

A.  Smith  removed  his  shoe  store  to  Union  block,  Old  City ; 
Charles  H.  Eager  bought  out  the  Fitchburg  Crockery 
Store,  No.  1  Central  block ;  A.  B.  Da^^  offered  dry  goods 
and  milliner3'  in  Stockwell's  building.  Main  and  Prichard 
streets;  J.  J.  Hardon  announces  "All  goods  bought  and 
sold  for  cash,  and  of  course,  cheap."  Abel  Stevens,  suc- 
cessor to  Wilson  &  Stevens,  advertises  groceries  in  Towne  & 
Piper's  block,  one  door  above  Fitchburg  Bank.  In  August 
Spaulding  &  Holt  dissolved,  and  Z.  P.  Spaulding  con- 
tinued the  stove  store.  On  November  1  of  the  same  year 
Henry  J.  Lowe  succeeded  Kimball  &  Whitcomb  at  the 
jewelry  store,  corner  of  Central  street. 

In  1852  T.  C.  Caldwell  is  proprietor  of  the  Caldwell 
store;  C.  A.  Emory  advertises  Kossuth  hats;  (J.  E.)  Man- 
ning &  (W.  E.)  Cook  bought  out  the  clothing  store  of 
Abel  Manning,  in  the  Fitchburg  Hotel  building;  J.  L. 
Tenney  deals  in  boots  and  shoes  on  West  street.     In  May 

B.  P.  Chase  sold  boots  and  shoes  in  Union  block,  Old 
City,  and  George  Sherwin  sold  clothing  directly  opposite 
the  postoffice.  The  following  June  Goodnow  &  Smith 
dissolved,  and  S.  H.  Goodnow  continued  the  jewelry  store 
in  Torrey  &  Wood's  block;  (Horace)  Hayward  and  (J.  B.) 
Richardson  were  selling  boots  and  shoes  at  No.  1  Granite 
row. 

The  first  ice  man  was  Charles  B.  Dupee,  who  in  May, 
1852,  announces  ice  from  Whalom.  On  February"  1  of  this 
year  B.  Snow,  Jr.,  retired  from  the  firm  of  J.  W.  Leverett 
&  Co.,  clothiers,  and  was  succeeded  by  Jacob  Haskell  as 
a  member  of  the  firm ;  H.  R.  Phelps  retiring  from  the  firm 
of  Cross  &  Co.,  tailors,  Daniel  Cross  continued  the  busi- 
ness; E.  &  A.  G.  Garfield  bought  out  the  hardware  store 
opposite  the  Fitchburg  Hotel.  In  July  L.  G.  Fessenden,  at 
his  music  store,   advertises  ice  cream    for  the  wearj'   and 


202  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchbiirg. 

warm,  and  Dy  Wycoldoff  Celebrated  Extract,  a  quick  and 
sure  cure  for  corns.  Howard  M.  Graves  removed  his  hat 
business  to  one-half  of  Livermore's  store,  No.  2,  Hotel 
block.  In  September  of  the  same  year  Crehore  &  Smith 
sold  out  to  Leander  Sprague. 

The  lot  of  a  clerk,  in  the  words  of  the  song,  "is  not 
a  happy  one,"  especially  when  the  small  bo3^  is  around, 
looking  for  an^^thing  that  is  to  be  given  away.  The 
clerks  are  down  on  the  youngsters,  and  the  warfare  never 
ceases.  One  day  a  small  boy  poked  his  head  into  the 
doorway  of  a  Main  street  store  and  inquired:  "Say, 
Mister,  got  any  empty  boxes?"  "No,"  says  the  clerk, 
rather  sharply.  "Got  any  cards?"  "No."  "Got  any 
almanacs?"  "No."  "Got  any  empty  bottles?"  "No." 
Got  any  sense?"  "No, — yes, — no, — yes, — you  miserable 
little  rascal;"  and  the  clerk  flew  for  the  door,  but  the 
boy — oh,  where  was  he?  Sometimes,  however,  it  was 
the  clerk  who  came  out  l3est,  as  in  the  case  when  in 
reply  to  the  inquir\^  for  empty  boxes,  the  clerk  replied 
that  they  were  all  out,  but  that  the^^  had  plent3^  at  the 
store  across  the  street.  The  boy  did  not  stop  to  ask 
more  questions,  but,  all  unsuspicious,  rushed  across  the 
street  and  into  the  store,  with  his  "Got  any  empty 
boxes?"  The  proprietor  promptly  replied,  "Yes,  and  we 
will  fit  you  to  one  in  a  minute."  Just  then  it  dawned 
upon  the  astonished  boy  that  he  had  blundered  into  the 
undertaker's,  and  the  time  he  made  in  getting  away  was 
not  slow. 

The  demand  for  shorter  hours  is  not  a  new  idea,  as 
appears  from  a  communication  in  the  Reveille  in  1852, 
in  which  "A  Clerk"  asks  that  the  merchants  consent  to 
the  closing  of  the  stores  in  the  evening  at  eight  o'clock 
instead  of  nine,  asserting  that  the  trade  between  the 
hours  specified  was  of  little  or  no  account,  and  urging 
that    the    clerks    should    have    at    least    one    hour    in    the 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg.  203 

twenty-four  for  recreation,  and  to  allow  those  who  had 
lady  friends  a  chance  to  call  upon  them  "before  it  was 
time  for  them  to  retire." 

On  October  13,  1852,  Henry  R.  Phelps  &  Co.  (C.  H. 
Eager)  bought  out  the  bookstore  of  Stephen  Slieplc}^; 
Tolman  &  Walker  offer  paper  hangings  very  cheap  at  the 
manufactory  on  Central  street ;  Samuel  Dadmun  offers 
country  produce,  opposite  Aldrich's  iron  store  (which  had 
been  removed  to  Union  block);  Francis  Buttrick,  Jr.,  opened 
a  market  opposite  the  Fitchburg  Hotel ;  Page  &  Hawkins 
offer  pianos  near  the  depot,  and  Lyman  Patch  bought  out 
the  stock  of  stoves,  etc.,  of  A.  J.  Brown  &  Co.,  Central 
block.  The  same  month  the  furniture  store  of  Sidney  D. 
Willis  was  entered  by  burglars,  but  not  much  was  taken, 
as  (in  the  words  of  the  i?eve/7/e)  "they  were  frightened 
awaj^  by  Mr.  Willis'  faithful  dog."  Mr.  Willis  promptly 
advertised  that  if  the  perpetrators  would  call  at  the 
store,  he  would  sell  them  goods  "cheaper  than  they  could 
steal  them."  E.  B.  Gee  &  Co.  offer  clothing  at  No.  2 
Union  block,  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Trees,  millinery,  on  "  Main 
street,  half  waj'  between  the  depot  and  postoffice,"  Doten's 
present  stand.  Pond  &  Edwards  succeeded  O.  N.  Pond  at 
the  West  street  store;  (Samuel)  Dadmun  &  (William  O.) 
Brown  offered  country  produce  near  the  depot,  and  Good- 
win Wood,  West  India  goods  and  groceries,  corner  of 
Main  and  Prichard  streets. 

William  Smith,  Main  street,  near  stone  mill,  says: 
"  Procure  3'our  boots  at  the  sign  of  the  golden  boot, 
thereby  securing  a  fit  for  eye  and  foot."  F.  H.  Damon 
opened  a  lumber  yard  in  front  of  the  freight  depot ;  Part- 
ridge, Sawyer  &  Co.  sold  boots  and  shoes  under  the  Uni- 
versalist  church ;  E.  A.  Cheney  was  at  Old  City  Furniture 
Store;  George  Bovvker  bought  out  J.  M.  Cutter's  paint 
and  oil  store.  Old  City,  near  depot;  L.  G.  Fessenden's 
music  store.   Central  block,   offers  a  complete  assortment 


204  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchlmrg. 

of  nicknacks  appertaining  to  music  and  musical  instru- 
ments; Joseph  Maynard  &  Co.  restaurateurs,  Cranbies' 
row,  near  depot,  offer  oysters,  truit,  etc. 

The  Reveille  of  August,  1853,  saj^s :  The  following  is 
a  true  cop3'  of  a  shoemaker's  bill  received  by  a  gentleman 
in  a  neighboring  town  whose  famiW  consisted  of  four  or 
five  daughters : 

Mr Dr.  to 

To  soling  Miss  Mary 1.22 

To  stamping  and  welting  Susan 25 

To  binding  and  closing  Ellen 13 

To  putting  a  few  stitches  in  Jane       .     .      .06 


In  June,  1853,  Horace  Ross  opened  a  fruit  and  vege- 
table store  between  the  Methodist  and  Universalist 
churches ;  and  H.  E.  Warren  opened  a  fruit  and  variety 
store  in  the  building  on  Main  street  formerly  occupied  by 
L.  H.  Stock  well.  Charles  Livermore  advertises  that  he  is 
manufacturing  corn  curers  daily,  in  shape  of  buckskin 
shoes  of  great  variety  and  fit,  at  his  new  store  in  Central 
block;  J.  &  C.  M.  Lowe's  market  is  at  the  corner  of  Main 
and  Blossom  streets.  T.  C.  Upton  became  the  proprietor 
of  the  boot  and  shoe  store  in  Union  block,  and  A.  C. 
Upton  &  Co.  bought  out  the  Dupee  market,  under  Univer- 
salist church ;  W.  G.  Kilmer  offers  clothing  at  the  Old  City 
store.  (G.)  Lawrence,  (J.)  Proctor  &  Co.  (J.  H.  Fair- 
banks) bought  out  the  Railroad  Grain  Store,  Old  Cit}' ; 
(Jonathan)  Pond  and  (Lowell  S.)  Edwards  sold  out  the 
West  Street  Grocery  to  W.  S.  Bardeen  &  Co.  (Jonathan 
Pond);  Jacob  Haskell  withdrew  from  the  firm  of  Lever- 
ett  &  Co.;  Norman  Stone  bought  out  the  iron  store  of 
Edward  Aldrich,  Union  block. 

Ma3^  1853,  (Horace)  Hay  ward  &  (Henry)  Jackson 
bought  the  boot  and  shoe  store  of  T.  C.  Upton,  in  Union 
block,  and  Sept.  1,  1853,  Henry  Jackson  became  the  sole 
proprietor.     In  July  (Norman)   Stone  &    (Jacob   H.)    Fair- 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg.  205 

banks  succeeded  Norman  Stone  at  the  iron  store,  Union 
block,  and  in  connection  with  this  store  was  opened  the 
first  regular  coal  yard.  Air.  Fairbanks  was  compelled  to 
visit  the  mines  to  secure  his  stock.  As  there  was  no  rail- 
road through  Connecticut,  all  the  coal  had  to  come  by  boat 
to  Boston  and  thence  by  rail.  There  was  at  this  time  no 
coal  yard  between  Waltham  and  Greenfield  excepting  the 
one  at  Fitchburg  and  a  branch  yard  opened  by  Mr.  Fair- 
banks at  Groton  Junction  (now  Ayer),  from  which  he  sup- 
plied Clinton  and  the  surrounding  country.  Mr.  Fair- 
banks recalls  that  all  of  his  iron  and  steel  had  to  be  im- 
ported b}'  him  from  England  and  Germany.  Pittsburg 
goods,  then  just  coming  into  the  market,  were  not  con- 
sidered of  very  good  quality.  In  1853  W.  A.  Crehore 
removed  his  fish  market  opposite  Union  block.  In  August 
of  this  year  Charles  S.  Cutter  opened  a  new  furniture 
store  in  Pratt's  block,  but  after  a  few  months  sold  out  to 
Hatch  &  Townsend.  S.  D.  Willis  frequently  put  his  adver- 
tisements in  verse,  like  the  following: 

One  morning  last  week,  when  I'd  nothing  to  do, 
And  wanted  to  see  something  funny  or  new, 
I  went  with  my  cousins,  Maria  and  Jane, 
To  visit  Willis's  furniture  rooms,  on  the  plain. 
Tune  of  "I'm  Going  a-Shopping." 

August,  1853,  E.  &  A.  G.  Garfield  sold  out  their  hard- 
ware and  stove  store  to  (Nathan)  Whitcomb  &  (Charles 
H.)  Eager,  and  C.  M.  Lowe  became  proprietor  of  the 
market,  corner  of  Blossom  street.  Thomas  Trees  an- 
nounces as  d3'er  on  Main  street;  and  J.  S.  Stanley,  fish 
market,  on  Central  street.  On  January  1  a  new  drug 
store  was  opened  in  Central  block  by  Jesse  Harding  with 
a  sign  of  the  Good  Samaritan;  and  George  P.  Read, 
jeweler,  was  at  Davidson's  store,  Oak  block.  Old  City ; 
J.  J.  Walworth  &  Co.  opened  a  store  for  gas  fittings  and 
fixtures  at  the  store  formerly  occupied   by  William  Coggs- 


^06  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchbtirg. 

hall ;  and  Adams  &  Bardeen  one  for  same  business  in 
Frost's  building,  Canal  block,  Main  street.  The  West 
Fitchburg  lumber  yard  of  C.  S.  Farrar,  near  depot,  was 
bought  by  (William  B.)  Barron,  (A.  J.)  Bruce  &  (A.  W.) 
Prjitt.  In  June  L.  Sprague  &  Co.  announce  the  addition 
of  a  new  department,  with  groceries,  provisions  and  flour, 
which  will  be  in  charge  of  T.  S.  Wilson ;  Calvin  Wallace, 
boots  and  shoes,  at  West  Fitchburg  postofiice.  In  August 
Bliss,  Sutton  &  Co.  of  Worcester,  H.  A.  Blood,  agent, 
succeeded  to  the  grain  business  of  Lawrence  &  Proctor; 
and  in  October  J.  B.  Proctor  &  Co.  opened  a  new  grain 
store,  first  door  below  the  Rollstone  bank  and  offer 
"Extra  Family  Fresh  Ground  Flour;"  Charles  Ide  and  T. 
C.  Caldwell  were  appointed  town  liquor  agents;  H.  R. 
Phelps  &  Co.  sold  out  their  bookstore  to  (Stephen)  Shep- 
ley  &  (Rodney)  Wallace;  E.  W.  Manning  had  a  market 
on  Central  street;  Joseph  Wood  offered  furniture  in  the 
old  town  house;  J.  L.  Mecorney  advertised  merchant 
tailoring  and  furnishing  goods,  on  Main  street,  opposite 
Prichard  street. 

A  salesman  in  a  local  Crocker}^  store  is  responsible  for 
the  following :  One  day  a  lady  came  in  and  began  to 
examine  the  cups  and  saucers.  Nothing  seemed  to  please 
her.  At  last,  however,  she  found  something,  and  smiling 
iunocenth%  said,  "  Now  these  are  very  nice,  and  I  like  the 
way  they  are  made,  with  different  names  on  them.  If  I 
could  find  some  with  the  names  I  want  I  would  take 
them,  but  all  I  see  read,  'Tom  and  Jerry.'" 

In  1853,  Fitchburg  traders,  in  common  with  mer- 
chants of  other  places,  were  greath'  incommoded  for  want 
of  small  change,  silver  coin  being  very  scarce,  and  many 
made  a  charge  of  three  per  cent,  for  all  sums  in  excess  of 
fifty  cents  w^hich  they  paid  out  in  course  of  trade. 

In  1854  Manning  &  Cook  sold  out  their  clothing  store 
in  Fitchburg  Hotel  block  to  Abel   Manning;   W.  C.  Upton 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchbiirg.  207 

opened  a  meat  market  at  Old  Cit\' ;  Holt  &  Allen  offer 
stoves  a  few  doors  west  of  the  American  House ;  and  H. 
F.  Coggshall  &  C.  W.  Wilder,  ice  in  large  and  small  quan- 
tities from  Waushacum.  (H.  W.)  Albee  &  (George)  Sher- 
win  bought  out  Daniel  Cross,  clothing,  three  doors  below 
the  bank;  D.  F.  Lowe  &  Co.  (Daniel  Lowe)  offered  paper 
hangings  opposite  the  Baptist  church. 

In  1854  the  easterl3^  wing  of  the  American  House  was 
built,  and  the  new  stores  were  occupied  b3'  S3dvester  Ten- 
ne^'  &  Co.,  groceries,  at  No.  6;  E.  B.  Clifford,  boots  and 
shoes,  at  No.  4;  Maraton  Upton,  dr^-  goods  and  crockery, 
at  No.  5,  but  after  a  short  time  dropped  the  crockery'  de- 
partment ;  William  L.  Cook,  clothing,  at  No.  2 ;  T.  B. 
Choate,  drugs,  at  No.  3. 

The  long-time  connection  of  the  postoffice  with  Shep- 
ley's  bookstore  ceased  with  its  removal  to  new  town  hall. 
Gas  was  introduced  into  Fitchburg  in  Januar\%  1854,  and 
the  Reveille  says:  "the  stores  are  bound  to  shine."  L.  N. 
Clapp  &  Co.  of  Boston,  announce  the  opening  of  millinery 
in  rooms  over  the  Fitchburg  bank ;  J.  W.  Allen  &  Co. 
(George  Robbins)  bought  out  the  stove  store  of  Holt  & 
Allen,  Union  block ;  John  Dunn  offers  West  India  goods 
and  groceries  a  few  doors  from  the  depot;  William 
Smith  at  sign  of  the  big  golden  l)oot  announces  that 
"for  fifteen  3'ears  he  has  had  practical  experience  as  a 
journe3^man  boot-maker  in  almost  everv  cit3^  in  the 
Union,  and  for  the  past  five  years  unparalleled  suc- 
cess in  this  town."  (W.  O.)  Brown,  (W.  A.)  Crehore 
&  Co.  (E.  A.  Brown)  offer  West  India  goods  and  gro- 
ceries, corner  of  Main  and  Laurel  streets;  S.  D.  Brewer 
bought  out  Henry  Jackson's  shoe  store  in  Union  block ; 
Stone  &  Fairbanks  sold  out  their  iron  store  in  same 
building  to  J.  H.  &  S.  P.  Fairbanks;  A.  J.  Shaw  became 
owner  of  the  furniture  store  in  Central  block,  but  very 
soon    sold    out    to    A.    J.   Spooner;    George    M.    Cuthbert 


208  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchhirg. 

opened  the  first  cigar  and  tobacco  store,  the  first  door 
south  of  Fitchburg  Hotel.  In  October  J.  W.  Hammond 
bought  out  the  clothing  store  of  William  L.  Cook,  No.  2 
American  House  block;  in  November  J.  Al.  Kidder  &  Co. 
tailors  and  clothiers,  are  at  Rollstone  block ;  L3^man  Patch 
removed  his  stove  store  from  Central  block  to  his  present 
stand;  Samuel  Dadmun  &  Co.  (William  Pearce)  bought 
out  the  commission  store  of  Dadmun  &  Brown  near  the 
depot,  l5ut  Mr.  Pierce  soon  after  retired  from  the  firm. 

In  February,  1855,  C.  &  C.  A.  Bowker  were  successors 
to  George  Bowker,  paint  and  oil  store,  near  corner  of 
Main  and  Prichard  streets ;  Howard  Marble,  paper  hang- 
ings, Old  City;  Z.  P.  Spaulding,  plumber  and  copper  work. 
Main  street,  nearly  opposite  Oliver  street ;  William  Pride 
again  became  proprietor  of  the  Circle  Street  Bakery,  con- 
tinuing until  1859. 

A  newspaper  contains  the  following  offer  in  an  adver- 
tisement by  an  enterprising  trader: 

"  Any  person  who  can  prove  that  my  tapioca  contains  anything 
injurious  to  health,  will  have  three  boxes  of  it  sent  to  him  free  of 
charge." 

In  January,  1855,  Henry  A.  Goodrich  bought  out  the 
hat  store  of  H.  M.  Graves,  under  Fitchburg  Hotel;  W.  L. 
Cook  bought  the  clothing  store  under  American  House, 
from  J.  W.  Hammond;  William  L.  Eager,  auction  and 
commission  merchant,  is  at  Pratt's  block ;  William  Bald- 
win, Jr.,  became  the  proprietor  of  the  store  at  West 
Fitchburg  so  long  afterwards  occupied  by  him. 

In  18v55  flour  went  up  to  $12.75  per  barrel.  It  is  re- 
lated that  a  lady  went  into  a  grocery  store  and  asked 
for  some  "  self-raising  flour."  It  happened  that  the  clerk  in 
charge  at  the  time  was  a  young  Irishman,  who,  opening 
a  barrel,  showed  her  some  of  the  ordinary  superfine. 
"That  is  not  what   I   want,"   said    the    lady,   with  some 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg.  209 

pique,  "I  want  self-raising  flour."  "O,"  says  Patrick, 
with  promptness,  "A  divil  a  bit  will  ye  find  fault  with  its 
not  rising,  sure  the  whole  barrel  went  up  this  morning 
from  nine  to  eleven  dollars,  and  if  that  don't  suit,  you 
are  very  hard  to  please;"  and  the  lady  left  in  a  huff. 

In  1855  W.  C.  Upton  bought  out  the  grocerA^  store  of 
A.  F.  Beaman,  at  corner  of  Central  and  Main  streets; 
N.  S.  Boutelle  succeeded  Boutelle  &  Livermore,  boots  and 
shoes;  Brown,  Crehore  &  Co.  went  out  of  business,  W. 
A.  Crehore  opening  a  commission  business  at  Rollstone 
market;  H.  A.  Hatch  bought  out  the  grocery  store  of  R. 
M.  Huntle\'  at  No.  4  Rollstone  block.  In  April  (Aaron) 
Wheeler  &  (Kilburn)  Harwood  fitted  up  a  market  in  the 
basement  under  the  new  town  hall ;  Daniel  Jennison  opened 
a  new  boot  and  shoe  store,  near  Fitchburg  Bank.  In 
September  of  this  year  S.  H,  Goodnow  sold  out  his  jewelry 
store  to  R.  R.  Conn,  who  still  continues  at  the  old  stand. 
(Nathan)  Whitcomb  &  (Charles  H.)  Eager  advertise  agri- 
cultural implements  at  their  store,  opposite  Fitchburg 
Hotel;  and  Fred  A.  Mellen,  West  India  goods  and  gro- 
ceries, up-stairs,  over  Coggshall  store,  opposite  Rollstone 
market,  Old  City. 

The  Reveille  in  1855  says:  "A  \ady  entered  one  of  our 
hat  and  cap  stores  the  other  day  and  asked  for  latest 
styles  of  caps.  After  looking  over  quite  a  number  and 
not  liking  the  color,  she  asked,  '  Have  you  any  subdued 
mouse  color?'  The  clerk,  somew^hat  taken  back,  managed 
to  stammer  out,  '  No,  but  we  have  some  enraged  rat 
color.'     The  lady  left  quickly,  without  bu^ang." 

In  1855  J.  B.  Richardson  removed  his  boot  and  shoe 
business  to  No.  4  American  House  block ;  George  Sherwin 
succeeded  Albee  &  Sherwin,  clothiers;  James  F.  Stiles  re- 
moved to  Granite  row,  under  C.  C.  church;  Waldo  Wal- 
lace l)()ught  out  the  stock  of  agricultural  implements  of 
Joseph  Pierce,  under  Fniversalist  church,  and   removed  the 


210  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchbnrg. 

goods  to  his  store,  corner  of  Main  and  Laurel  streets, 
and  sold  out  his  grocery  department;  (Sylvester)  Tenney 
&  (Milan  \V.)  Haywood  succeeded  to  the  grocery  store  at 
No.  6  American  House  block;  David  Frost  &  Co.  manu- 
factured and  dealt  in  palmleaf  and  palmleaf  hats,  at 
Canal  block.  Main  street;  T.  &  J.  Sutton  succeeded  Bliss, 
Sutton  &  Co.,  with  H.  A.  Blood  continuing  as  agent,  at 
Railroad  Grain  Store;  J.  H.  Fairbanks  succeeded  J.  H.  & 
S.  P.  Fairbanks  at  the  hardware  store,  Union  block. 

One  of  Fitchburg's  shoe  dealers  had  a  custom  of  fur- 
nishing for  twelve  dollars  all  the  boots  and  shoes  a  man 
could  wear  out  during  the  year.  Solomon  Smith  adver- 
tised the  "Veto  Clothing  Store,"  a  few  doors  above  the 
American  House.  (J.  H.)  Fairbanks  &  (W.  O.)  Brown 
dealt  in  coal,  and  John  Dunn  sold  West  India  goods  and 
groceries,  a  few  rods  below  the  depot  on  Water  street; 
Sutton,  Blood  &  Co.  (Charles  Upton,  H.  A.  Blood,  Joseph 
Sutton)  bought  out  the  Railroad  Grain  Store, 

The  following  story  is  told  of  a  farmer  who  came 
into  one  of  the  village  stores  and  exhibited  to  an  admir- 
ing crowd  of  customers  an  enormous  ^^^  about  six  inches 
long,  which  was  laid  by  one  of  his  old  hens.  He  had  it 
packed  in  cotton,  and  no  one  was  allowed  to  handle  it 
for  fear  of  breaking  it.  The  storekeeper  examined  it  with 
the  others,  and  intending  to  chaff  the  farmer,  said : 
"  Pshaw,  Pve  got  something  in  the  ^^^  line  that  will  beat 
that."  "  Pll  bet  3'ou  a  dollar  you  haven't,"  says  the  excited 
farmer.  "Take  you  up,"  says  the  storekeeper,  and  going 
behind  the  counter,  brought  out  an  ^^^  beater.  "There's 
something  in  the  o:^^  line  that  will  beat  it,  I  guess,"  says 
he,  reaching  for  the  stakes.  "Hold  on  there,"  says  the 
farmer,  "let's  sec  you  1)eat  it,"  and  handed  it  to  the 
storekeeper,  who  held  out  his  hand  for  it,  l)ut  dropped  it 
in  surprise  on  the  counter,  where  it  ])roke  three  plates  and 
a  platter.     It  was  iron,  painted  white.     "Some  folks  think 


The  Old  Stores  of  FitcJibnrg.  211 

they  arc  tarnation  cute,"  muttered  the  farmer,  as  he 
pocketed  the  stakes  and  left,  "but  'taint  no  use  going 
agin  the  soHd  facts." 

In  1856  W.  C.  Johnson,  Oak  block,  candy  store  and 
manufactory- ;  John  Lowe  was  at  the  Fitchburg  Meat 
Market,  corner  of  Main  and  Blossom  streets;  J.  M.  Kid- 
der &  Co.  (J.  M.  and  J.  S.  Kidder  and  E.  Butterick)  adver- 
tise clothing  and  tailoring  in  Washington  block,  just 
erected.  Air.  Butterick  was  afterwards  the  founder  of  the 
famous  Butterick  Pattern  compan}^;  S.  H.  Long  opened  a 
music  store  in  Torrey  &  Wood's  block.  In  September 
Jacob  Haskell  opened  a  new  boot  and  shoe  store,  first 
door  south  of  Fitchburg  Hotel,  announcing  "Jessie  Fre- 
mont "  gaiters  and  "Jenny  Lind "  slippers;  J.  Piper  car- 
ried on  Central  market  under  the  town  house;  J.  L.  Ten- 
ney  removed  his  shoe  store  from  West  and  River  streets 
to  Main  street,  opposite  Rollstone  House;  Moses  Under- 
wood became  the  ice  man;  (A.  B.)  Sherman  &  (L.  J.) 
Brown  opened  a  new  dry  goods  store,  first  door  below 
Rollstone  bank;  A.  Derby  and  S.  Hastings  opened  a  new 
market  opposite  Rollstone  House. 

In  December,  1856,  the  account  of  an  extensive  fire  in 
the  American  House  mentions  the  following  occupants : 
E.  B.  Gee,  clothing;  T.  B.  Choate,  drugs;  J.  C.  Tenney, 
boots  and  shoes;  Maraton  Upton,  dr\'  goods;  and  M.  W. 
Hayward,  groceries.  Maraton  Upton  removed  his  stock 
to  No.  9  Rollstone  block,  and  advertised  "Extraordinary 
fire  sale;  customers  are  invited  to  call  cind  examine  goods 
which  are  still  warm." 

In  1857  John  Upton  announces  that  "(jood  Spanish 
quarters  will  be  taken  in  trade,  for  the  next  few  weeks,  at 
their  full  value."  B.  J.  Whitney,  jeweler,  was  at  No.  12 
American  House  l)lock ;  C.  S.  Lee  opened  a  dry  goods 
vStore  at  No,  43  Main  street,  Washington  l)lock ;  O.  N. 
Swan,  meat  market,  opposite  Rollstone  House.     In  Febru- 


212  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitelibnrg. 

ary  Milan  \V.  Hayward,  groceries  and  crockery,  American 
House  block,  announces:  "For  cash,  or  exchange  goods, 
only.  Positively  no  goods  delivered  until  satisfaction  is 
given."  In  June,  H.  C.  Tuttle  &  Co.  bought  out  the 
shoe  store  of  Daniel  Jennison,  at  No.  169  Main  street,  but 
were  soon  followed  b3^  Horace  Hayward  &  Co.  In  No- 
vember Sutton,  Blood  &  Co.  were  succeeded  by  (H.  A.) 
Blood,  (W.  O.)  Brown  &  Co.,  at  grain  store  in  Railroad 
building;  (Benjamin)  Prentiss  &  (Joseph  L.)  Story  suc- 
ceeded W.  C.  Upton  at  the  grocery  store,  corner  of  Cen- 
tral street;  Norman  Stone,  at  Fitchburg  and  Worcester 
railroad  office,  advertises  himself  as  the  "oldest  coal 
dealer  in  this  vicinity."  (G.  S.)  Gilchrest  &  (J.  R.)  Has- 
kell, Jr.,  advertise  as  dealers  in  lime,  hair  and  cement; 
H.  &  J.  Ward  offer  boots  and  shoes  at  No.  41  Main 
street.  In  October  D.  M.  Carpenter  opened  a  new  dry 
goods  store  at  No.  132  Main  street,  east  of  new  town 
house;  S.  D.  Brewer  removed  his  stove  store  to  American 
House  block;  J.  L.  Mecorne}^  gents'  furnishing  goods, 
removed  to  No.  2  Union  block.  In  May  (Edward)  Atkin- 
son &  (Joseph)  Phelps  advertise  paints  and  oils  at  No.  85 
Main  street;  Miss  A.  E.  Clark,  millinery,  167  Main  street, 
opposite  Fitchburg  Hotel ;  Norman  Stone,  H.  F.  Coggs- 
hall  &  C.  W.  Wilder  advertise  ice,  but  after  a  few  months 
Mr.  Wilder  withdrew.  In  July  (John)  Lowe  &  (Varnum 
B.)  Mead  were  followed  b}^  V.  B.  Mead  at  the  market  cor- 
ner of  Main  and  Blossom  streets.  In  August  Norman 
Stone  and  H.  F.  Coggshall  advertised  coal. 

It  is  related  that  the  clerk  in  a  local  vStore  had  sweet 
revenge  on  a  woman  w^ho  had  annoyed  him.  She  wanted 
to  look  at  baskets,  and  for  that  purpose  the  clerk  took 
from  the  shelves  a  large  assortment,  until  all  but  two 
were  scattered  over  the  counter.  The  woman  did  not 
want  to  l)u\',  so  she  turned  awa3\  making  the  remark, 
''I  only  came   to   look  for  one   of  my  friends."    The  clerk 


The  Old  Stores  of  FitcJiburg.  213 

felt  rather  exasperated,  and  replied,  "Madam,  if  you  have 
the  slightest  idea  that  your  friends  are  in  either  of  those 
two  baskets  still  on  the  shelves,  I  shall  be  pleased  to  take 
them  down  for  you  to  examine." 

Januar3'  1,  1858,  it  was  announced  that  the  markets 
formerl}^  of  C.  Fletcher  and  V.  B.  Mead  would  be  opened 
by  John  W.  Piper  and  John  Lowe.  On  April  1  Joseph  E. 
Manning  succeeded  Abel  Manning,  clothier,  under  Fitch- 
burg  Hotel;  W.  P.  Smith  &  Co.  are  at  North  Street 
Bakery;  Lowe  &  Proctor  bought  out  D.J.  Lowe,  paper 
hangings,  opposite  the  Baptist  church.  Main  street;  the 
Mechanics'  Union  store,  J.  D.  Stone,  agent,  was  opened  at 
No.  14  Main  street;  C.  E.  Dadmun,  commission  merchant, 
was  at  No.  15  Main  street ;  James  B.  Ma3'  was  at  the 
brick  store.  South  Fitchburg.  In  October  George  B.  Bart- 
lett  bought  out  C.  H.  Stearns,  clothing, ,  Washington 
block,  47  Main  street.  Petroleum  was  discovered  about 
this  time,  and  kerosene  oil  began  to  come  into  use.  W.  G. 
Tolman,  one  door  below  Fitchburg  Hotel,  offers  "Genuine 
kerosene  oil.  Much  cheap  oil  is  adulterated  with  rosin, 
making  it  offensive  from  smell  and  smoke." 

A  price  list  of  1858  has:  Best  flour,  $5.50  per  barrel; 
butter,  prime,  15  cents  per  pound;  do.,  common,  13  cents 
per  pound ;  potatoes,  63  cents  per  bushel ;  beef,  5  cents  per 
pound ;  eggs,  10  cents  per  dozen. 

Wright,  Kendall  &  Co.  (J.  H.  Fairbanks,  L  C.  Wright, 
L.  J.  Kendall)  bought  out  the  hardware  business  of  J.  H. 
Fairbanks,  which  was  removed  from  Union  block  to  the 
new  building  erected  by  Mr.  Fairbanks  and  J.  W.  Allen  & 
Co.  at  Nos.  17  and  21  Water  street,  the  latter  also  remov- 
ing their  stove  and  tin  business  to  the  same  building. 
Mrs.  N.  Holman  advertises  fanc3^  dressmaking  and  ladies' 
refreshment  room,  169  Main  street,  opposite  Fitchburg 
Hotel. 

15 


214  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg. 

In  1859  W.  C.  Emor3^  bought  Charles  Fletcher's  mar- 
ket, opposite  Rollstone  House,  and  (A.  O.)  Carter  & 
(Abel)  Derby  the  market  under  the  town  house;  E.  H. 
Chisholm  bought  out  the  drug  store  in  the  American 
House;  (David  F.)  Mclntire  &  (Joseph)  Cushing  opened 
a  lumber  yard  on  Water  street,  near  the  depot. 

Chisholm  and  Brewer,  who  occupied  adjoining  stores  in 
the  American  House  block,  were  great  jokers.  One  day 
the  latter  walked  into  the  drug  store  and  asked  Chisholm 
if  he  had  any  of  Richardson's  Bitters.  "Yes,"  was  the 
reply,  and  a  bottle  was  handed  him.  Brewer  carefully 
examined  it,  and  asked,  "You  are  sure  these  are  Richard- 
son's?" and  being  answered  there  was  no  question,  re- 
plied, "Well,  if  they  are  Richardson's  I  will  take  them, 
and  as  I  know  Richardson,  I  will  make  it  all  right  with 
him;"  and  walked  out  with  the  bottle.  Chisholm  said 
nothing,  but  a  few  days  later  went  to  Boston  on  busi- 
ness. On  his  return  he  called  on  Brewer  and  remarked, 
"I  was  in  Boston  yesterday  and  saw  Richardson  [who, 
by  the  way,  had  been  dead  many  years],  and  he  says  he 
don't  know  you,  and  never  heard  of  you.  I  guess  under 
the  circumstances  it  will  be  advisable  for  3^ou  to  pay  up 
for  those  bitters."  Brewer  acknowledged  the  corn,  and 
both  waited  for  a  chance  to  tr^'  it  on  each   other  again. 

In  1859  William  M.  Willis  opened  a  market  in  Lowe 
&  Piper's  block,  Flatiron  building;  Lewis  H.  Freeman 
established  a  bakery  opposite  the  Baptist  church;  Mrs. 
George  Sherwin  offered  millinery  over  L.  Sprague  &  Co.'s 
store. 

James  F.  Monroe,  at  his  market,  about  where  H.  A. 
Goodrich's  store  now  is,  claims  that  he  established  the 
first  provision  store  like  those  of  the  present  day.  Pre- 
vious to  this  the  markets  were  accustomed  to  supply  only 
the  meats.  Vegetables,  etc.,  were  obtained  from  the  gro- 
cery store. 


TJie  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg.  215 

In  1859  J.  A.  Perry  &  Co.  opened  a  new  furniture 
store  in  Flatiron  building,  Old  Cit}' ;  F.  M.  Collester  had 
a  music  store  under  Crocker  hall ;  William  Barber,  jeweler, 
was  at  Lowe  &  Proctor's  store,  Washington  block ;  Abel 
Manning  had  clothing  at  No.  2  American  House  block. 
In  Jul}'  J.  W.  Arnold  bought  out  E.  H.  Chisholm's  drug 
store,  under  American  House. 

In  April,  1860,  William  W.  Cotting  offers  boots  and 
shoes,  first  door  below  Palmer's  octagon  building;  (Henry 
C.)  Greenwood  &  (John  A.)  Wheeler  bought  out  the  gro- 
cery store,  corner  of  Main  and  Central  streets;  A.  L. 
Marshall  sold  paper-hangings  at  No.  43  Main  street, 
Washington  block ;  E.  Hosmer,  West  India  goods  and 
groceries,  at  Cheap  Cash  Store,  No.  4  Central  street;  L. 
W.  Warren,  house  furnishing  establishment,  in  Central 
block. 

The  number  of  stores  reported  by  the  assessors  in 
1860  was  fifty-eight.  Joseph  Pierce  established  his  leather 
store  at  65  Main  street ;  Silas  Kuggles  bought  out  the 
drug  store  at  7  Main  street,  Rollstone  block;  W.  H.  Ath- 
erton  opened  a  fish  market,  north  end  of  Dickinson  block ; 
A.  B.  Sherman  sold  dry  goods,  opposite  American  House ; 
E.  B.  Dunn,  books  and  stationery,  4  Main  street;  Levi 
Holt,  millinery,  over  A.  B.  Sherman's  store;  E.  Butterick, 
clothing,  43  Main  street,  Washington  block;  and  H.  A. 
Hatch  had  a  branch  store  at  the  old  brick  store,  South 
Fitchburg,  of  which  he  was  the  last  occupant.  In  Septem- 
ber G.  L.  Saunders  bought  out  the  clothing  store  of  G.  W. 
Bartlett,  47  Main  street,  and  E.  C.  Spooner  bought  out 
the  furniture  store  in  Belding  &  Dickinson's  building.  In 
May  C.  A.  Kimball  and  L.  J.  Brown  established  the  "  L. 
J.  Brown  store"  at  13  and  15  Main  street;  (D.  R.) 
Streeter  &  (Jonathan)  Pond  were  at  the  West  street 
store,  with  groceries  and  West  India  goods ;  Jones  & 
Bateman,  hardware,  163  Main  street,  opposite  Fitchburg 


216  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg. 

Hotel;  S.  A.  Gibson  sold  groceries  at  29  West  street;  John 
A.  Wheeler  succeeded  Greenwood  &  Wheeler,  groceries, 
Main  and  Central  streets. 

With  the  opening  of  the  Civil  war  the  supply  of  silver 
and  small  coin  disappeared  and  something  had  to  be 
found  to  take  its  place.  The  first  natural  substitute  was 
the  use  of  postage  stamps,  which  soon  came  into  general 
use  for  all  details  of  trade  requiring  change.  It  was  no 
uncommon  thing  to  see  a  man  come  into  a  store  and  pull 
from  his  pocket  a  wad  of  stamps  which  had  become  a 
solid  mass,  and  the  annoyance  and  discomfort  cannot  be 
appreciated  by  those  who  did  not  experience  it.  All  sorts 
of  receptacles  were  contrived  to  carry  the  stamps  to  pre- 
vent their  "sticking"  and  tearing.  Packages  were  made 
up  containing  10,  25,  and  50  cents  of  postage  stamps,  and 
readily  passed  from  hand  to  hand  at  their  marked  value, 
often  without  being  opened  to  ascertain  whether  the  pack- 
age contained  the  exact  amount.  Postage  stamps  that 
had  been  used  for  currency  were  redeemed  by  the  govern- 
ment, as  no  soiled,  worn  or  mutilated  stamps  were 
allowed  to  be  used  on  letters.  Next,  some  of  the  mer- 
chants issued  small  cards,  bearing  their  business  card, 
good  for  10,  25,  or  50  cents,  at  their  store,  and  redeem- 
able at  the  bank  in  sums  of  $5.  I  never  heard  of  an^^ 
being  presented  at  the  bank.  They  w-ere  everj^ where  ac- 
cepted In'  the  storekeepers  and  many  of  them  were  lost 
or  destroj'cd  and  never  presented  for  payment,  and  in 
some  cases  it  is  doubtful  if  the  merchant  knew  how  many 
he  had  issued,  as  they  were  not  numbered. 

The  government  took  up  the  matter  and  issued 
"scrip,"  the  first  issue  of  which  was  called  postal  cur- 
rency, from  the  pictures  of  the  stamps  printed  thereon. 
These  were  followed  by  the  more  artistic  issues  of  frac- 
tional currency,  of  which,  in  a  late  report,  it  was  stated 
that  several  million  dollars  worth  were  still  outstanding. 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchbnrg.  217 

and  it  is  doubtful  if  it  will  ever  be  presented  for  redemp- 
tion. 

In  1861  the  Mechanics'  Union  store,  J,  D.  Stone  agent, 
was  at  22  Main  street;  A.  Derby,  commission  merchant, 
butter,  cheese  and  country  produce,  near  the  depot;  L.  D. 
Warren,  jeweler  at  51  Main  street;  Samuel  Osborne 
opened  a  market  under  Waldo  Wallace's  store,  corner  of 
Main  and  Laurel  streets.  In  September  W.  Perkins  &  Son 
opened  a  new  China  tea  store,  with  teas,  coffee  and  gro- 
ceries, at  10  Main  street. 

Kerosene  oil,  now  so  cheap,  was  selling  at  60  cents 
per  gallon  for  a  very  inferior  article,  the  art  of  refining 
not  being  then  so  well  understood. 

A  certain  grocer}^  store  in  this  cit3'^  early  in  the  60's 
was  apparenth'  doing  a  remarkable  business  in  kerosene 
oil ;  the  number  frequenting  it  with  kerosene  cans  was  so 
notable  as  to  attract  attention.  There  was  a  side  door 
in  the  basement,  leading  to  another  street.  The  customer 
going  into  the  store,  passed  down  into  the  basement  and, 
after  getting  his  can  filled,  passed  out  by  the  side  door. 
An  investigation  revealed  that  quite  a  business  in  New 
England  rum  was  being  done  in  this  way. 

In  1862  W.  C.  Emory  bought  out  the  Union  market 
of  E.  W.  Manning  in  basement  of  town  house;  W.  C. 
Upton  bought  out  the  market  under  the  Universalist 
church;  M.  J.  Morse  succeeded  to  the  furniture  business 
in  Belding  &  Dickinson's  block;  H.  Hay  ward  &  Co.  (M. 
and  E.  H.  Ha^'ward),  boots  and  shoes,  47  Main  street, 
Washington  block ;  F.  L.  Ruggles  bought  out  the  shoe 
store  of  L.  D.  Wheeler,  at  the  sign  of  the  mammoth  boot, 
Washington  block ;  N.  Upham  succeeded  John  A.  Wheeler 
at  the  grocery  store,  corner  of  Main  and  Central  streets; 
Rodney  Wallace  succeeded  Shepley  &  Wallace  at  the  book- 
store; John  Choate  bought  out  the  drug  store  of  Silas 
Ruggles,  at  No.  7  Main  street. 


218  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg. 

In  the  Sentinel  we  find  the  following  item:  "It  is  said 
a  young  married  couple  lateh'  commenced  housekeeping, 
and  the  first  purchases  of  the  head  of  the  familj'  at  the 
grocery  store  were  five  cents'  worth  of  soda,  five  cents' 
worth  of  salt,  five  cents'  worth  of  pepper,  two  cents' 
worth  of  chewing  gum,  and  twelve  cents'  worth  of  soap. 
The  bill,  amounting  to  twenty-nine  cents,  was  promptly 
paid  by  the  young  Benedict,  who,  as  he  left  the  store, 
remarked  to  the  clerk,  '  keeping  house  is  cheaper  than 
boarding.' " 

J.  W.  Leverett,  clothing  and  tailoring,  was  at  161 
Main  street,  opposite  the  Fitchburg  Hotel;  L.  J.  Brown 
became  sole  proprietor  of  the  dr\'  goods  store  at  15  Main 
street;  C.  W.  Pratt  offers  gloves,  hosier3%  embroideries 
and  white  goods,  corner  of  Main  and  Prichard  streets. 
In  April  John  Upton  sold  out  his  stock  of  dry  goods,  and 
the  store  was  occupied  for  a  new  bookstore  by  G.  L.  San- 
ford  &  Co.  of  Worcester,  who  advertise  "Boston  morning 
papers  by  the  Worcester  train." 

The  Reveille  of  October  29,  1863,  says:  "Whitman  & 
Miles  in  connection  with  Crocker  &  Burbank  have  erected 
a  fine  store  with  a  cottage  house  attached,  which  will  be 
kept  and  occupied  by  Charles  G.  Giles,  who  formerly  had 
charge  of  the  postoflftce  in  this  town." 

To  read  the  war-time  prices  staggers  a  person  in  these 
days.  Flour  went  to  $20  per  barrel,  pork  to  $50  per  bar- 
rel, common  brown  cooking  sugar  28  cents  per  pound, 
and  granulated  sugar,  so  common  at  present  at  five  and 
six  cents  per  pound,  was  32  cents  per  pound.  B.  F.  Lewis 
and  John  Q.  Bardeen  dissolved,  and  J.  Q.  Bardeen  contin- 
ued the  store  in  Flatiron  building.  Simeon  Fuller  opened 
music  rooms  in  Whitney's  building,  182  Main  street;  A. 
O.  Carter  reopened  the  bakery  on  North  street ;  D.  R. 
Streeter  was  at  the  West  street  store;  H.  A.  Blood  &  Co. 
(Hale  W.  Page)  carried   on  the  Railroad   Grain   Store;   C. 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchhirg.  219 

L.  Fairbanks  bought  out  the  hardware  store  of  Wright, 
Kendall  &  Co.,  17  Water  street;  F.  E.  Cleaves,  groceries, 
spices  and  paper  hangings,  was  at  120  Main  street; 
(John  P.)  Sabin  &  (Natt)  Cowdin  advertise  coal  office 
adjoining  H.  A.  Blood  &  Co.;  Lawrin  Pratt,  confec- 
tioner}^  wholesale  and  retail,  8  Main  street. 

In  1864  T.  F.  &  W.  P.  Guy  bought  out  Charles  Ide, 
corner  Main  and  Blossom  streets ;  S.  Boutelle  became  pro- 
prietor of  the  bookstore  of  G.  L.  Sanford,  182  Main 
street;  (A.  W.)  Pollard  &  (A.  L.)  Marshall  bought  out 
E.  Butterick's  clothing  store  in  Washington  block ;  W.  C. 
Emory  was  at  the  market  opposite  the  Fitchburg  Hotel ; 
Bateman  &  Parkhurst  removed  their  hardware  store  to 
126  Main  street,  three  doors  below  the  town  house.  In 
January,  1864,  George  L.  Gibbs  bought  out  the  clothing 
store  of  Keach  &  Gladding,  29  Main  street;  J.  L.  Harri- 
man  succeeded  to  the  Old  City  Drug  Store;  F.  A.  Make- 
peace, optician,  was  at  R.  R.  Conn's  jewelry  store,  155 
Main  street;  the  Mechanics'  Union  Store  sold  out  to  J.  D. 
Stone,  who  continued  the  business  at  No.  22  Main  street; 
W.  P.  Smith  &  Co.  removed  their  bakery  business  from 
North  street  to  No.  8  Main  street;  I.  C.  Wright,  commis- 
sion merchant,  offers  butter,  cheese,  and  country  produce 
at  No.  17  Main  street;  J.  Q.  Bardeen,  market,  was  at  No. 
24  Main  street.  J.  Cushing  &  Co.  (L.  P.  Comee)  opened 
a  grain  store  at  No.  6  American  House  block;  E.  Holmes, 
fish,  No.  12  Main  street;  George  Bradford,  cigar  store.  No. 
152  Main  street;  George  Sherwin  &  Son,  tailors,  156  Main 
street;  Sabin  &  Garfield  bought  out  the  coal  business  of 
Sabin  &  Cowdin ;  Ware  &  Nash,  the  grocery  store  in 
Flatiron  building;  Union  market,  town  house,  E.  W.  Man- 
ning. 

The  following  list  of  prices  issued  by  one  of  the  lead- 
ing  wholesale   houses  of  New   York  in  August,  1864,  is  of 


220  The  Old  Stores  of  FitcJiburg. 

interest    for    comparison    of    prices    of    standard    cotton 
goods  with  prices  of  to-day : 

Merrimack  and  other  best  prints,  per  yard,  50  to  55  cents;  Lancas- 
ter and  other  staple  ginghams,  50  to  55  cents;  heavy  stripe  shirtings, 
50  cents;  Amoskeag  and  other  best  tickings,  75  and  80  cents;  stand- 
ard 4-4  brown  cotton.  Continental  and  Nashua  goods,  75  to  85  cents; 
4-4  bleached  cotton,  Fruit  of  the  Loom,  Hill,  Langdon,  etc.,  70  to  75 
cents;  10-4  Pepperell  bleached  cotton,  $1.75  to  $1.87;  common  cambric 
lining,  33  to  38  cents;  best  200  yards  spool  cotton,  Coats'  or  Clark's, 
20  cents  per  spool. 

In  comparing  the  prices  it  should  be  remembered  that 
the  advance  in  manufacturing  now  produces  finer  goods, 
more  artistic  colorings  and  patterns  in  printed  fabrics,  and 
these  goods  of  1864  and  the  coarse,  heav3^  cotton  cloths 
of  those  days  could  not  be  sold  in  this  section  at  any 
price.  The  following  is  from  the  current  price-lists  of 
1864: 

Flour,  from  $12  to  $15  per  barrel;  rye,  $2.25  per  bushel;  corn,  $1.85 
per  bushel;  oats,  $1.25  per  bushel;  salt  pork,  25  cents  per  pound;  ham, 
22  to  25  cents  per  pound ;  lard,  28  cents  per  pound ;  cheese,  23  to  25 
cents  per  pound ;  butter,  58  cents  jjer  pound ;  eggs,  32  cents  per  dozen ; 
beefsteak,  23  cents  per  pound ;  sugar,  white,  32  to  35  cents  per  pound ; 
brown,  23  to  33  cents  per  pound;  molasses,  95  cents  to  $1.25  per  gal- 
lon; potatoes,  $1.25  per  bushel;  apples,  75  cents  to  $1.25  per  bushel; 
beans,  75  cents  to  $1.00  per  peck;  blueberries  sold  in  Boston  for  35 
cents  per  box,  holding  less  than 'a  quart. 

It  is  a  high  compliment  to  a  man  of  whom  it  can  be 
said  that  after  going  through  the  temptations  and  rival- 
ries of  business  life  for  forty  or  fifty  years  his  honor  is 
untarnished  and  his  check  good  at  the  bank.  Of  the  mer- 
chants of  1864,  only  a  few  are  now  in  active  business  life. 
James  F.  Stiles,  of  whom  the  poet  of  that  centennial  A^ear 
said,  in  answer  to  the  quer}-,  "Who's  Stiles?" 

Why!   don't  your  women  folks 
Wear  bonnets,  caps,  and  ribbons,  feathers,  cloaks  ? 
They've  heard  of  Stiles,  if  3'ou  have  not. 


The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchhirg.  2^1 

H.  A.  Goodrich,  clothing;  A.  R,  Ordwa}^,  then  in  grain,  is 
now  in  coal;  Jacob  H.  Fairbanks,  then  hardware,  is  now 
in  grain;  J.  C.  Moulton,  photographer;  Lyman  Patch, 
stoves;  W.  C.  Emory,  market;  C.  L.  Fairbanks,  then 
hardware  and  coal,  now  coal;   and  R.  R.  Conn,  jeweler. 

It  is  to  be  noted  that  in  onl3^  one  instance  are  the 
sons  of  a  former  merchant  continuing  their  father's  line 
of  trade,  the  leather  store  established  by  JOvSeph  Pierce 
being  continued  by  his  sons. 

None  of  the  stores  of  to-daj^  bear  any  resemblance  to 
their  ancient  appearance,  except  the  old  Streeter  store  on 
West  Main  street,  now  occupied  by  Kelley  Brothers. 

If  our  merchants  cannot  boast  of  long-established 
houses,  like  the  New  York  man  who  put  out  a  sign, 
"Established  in  1804,"  priding  himself  upon  the  antiquity 
of  his  establishment,  they  will  not  be  liable  to  what  befell 
the  New  Yorker  \vhen  his  rival  across  the  street  burlesqued 
his  sign  by  the  words:  "Established  yesterday.  No  old 
goods  on  hand." 

One  of  our  veteran  merchants  recalls  the  fact  of  seeing 
the  most  prominent  physician  in  to^vn  taking  home 
molasses  and  other  groceries  in  a  wheelbarrow,  and  also 
that,  as  a  clerk,  he  was  once  asked  to  deliver  a  half-ounce 
of  nutmeg. 

In  1864  Main  street  commenced  at  Blossom  and 
Laurel  streets,  and  extended  to  the  head  of  the  Upper 
Common  only,  and  the  "odd"  numbers  were  on  the  right 
hand  side,  Coleman  &  Drury's  present  store  being  No.  1, 
This  will  explain  the  numbers  mentioned  in  this  paper. 

The  appearance  of  Main  street  in  1864  was  very  dif- 
ferent from  what  it  is  to-day ;  commencing  at  Blossom 
street,  first  came  Rollstone  block,  with  its  flight  of  stone 
steps  from  the  street,  three  stores,  and  a  basement  mar- 
ket on  Blossom  street  end ;  then  a  building  of  two  sto- 
ries, where  Nichols  &   Frost  now   are;   next,  a  two-story 


222  The  Old  Stores  of  Fitchburg. 

wooden  building,  containing  three  stores  up  two  steps 
from  the  street,  known  as  Union  block ;  then  Pratt's 
block,  a  two-story  frame  building;  two  or  three  small 
wooden  stores;  then  Washington  block,  three  stories,  of 
brick ;  then  Stockwell's  building,  to  Prichard  street.  The 
next  was  the  Thomas  Trees  building,  standing  back  from 
the  street,  now  Doten's  store ;  and  then  the  Bowker  build- 
ing adjoining;  next,  two  small  buildings  just  south  of  Dr. 
Palmer's,  occupied  by  bakery,  paper  hangings,  and  boot 
and  shoe  store;  then  Torrey  &  Wood's  block;  the  Benja- 
min Snow  building;  then  two  or  three  small  buildings 
where  the  Phoenix  now  stands;  then  the  Sprague  build- 
ing; Fitchburg  bank;  Patch's  block,  and  Rollstone  House. 
On  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  at  Chamberlain 
Huntress  corner,  was  the  old  building,  formerly  the  old 
Calvinistic  meetinghouse,  with  two  stores  on  Main  street 
and  a  basement  market  on  Laurel  street;  then  two  small, 
one-story  stores,  then  the  Flatiron  building.  From  Mill 
street  to  Webber  &  Hay  ward's  present  stand,  there  were 
only  three  or  four  wooden  store  buildings,  mostly  one-story, 
and  old  Canal  block.  The  water  of  Stone  Mill  pond  came 
up  to  Main  street,  and  there  was  no  sidewalk  on  that  side 
of  the  street  below  Putnam  street.  The  present  Webber  & 
Hayw^ard  building  was  a  hardware  store;  and  Whitney's 
building,  next  south  of  city  (then  town)  hall,  was  a  dry 
goods  store ;  under  the  town  house  was  the  market,  in  the 
cellar;  then  Central  block;  several  small  wooden  buildings 
where  Stiles'  block  now  stands,  known  as  Merchants  row; 
a  two-story  brick  building,  now  altered  over  into  the 
Emor3^  house;  the  Hotel  block;  old  Caldwell  store;  the 
stores  under  the  Calvinistic  church,  known  as  Granite 
row;  the  Universalist  church  building;  Livermore  building, 
since  altered  over  into  the  Jennison  house,  and  Crocker's 
Hall  building,  with  two  stores.  On  West  street,  now 
West    Main    street,    was    the    old    Streeter    building,    and 


The  Old  Stores  of  FitcJibnrg.  223 

the  brick  store  corner  of  School  street ;  at  West  Fitchburg 
was  the  old  Baldwin  store  building. 

At  Damon  &  Gould  comer,  then  Water  street,  a  frame 
building,  then  Rollstone  bank's  old  stone  building,  then 
two  two-stor\^  frame  buildings ;  the  brick  building  of  Fair- 
banks &  Allen ;  a  two-story  wooden  building ;  then  the 
Railroad  Grain  Store,  with  coal  office  attached. 

On  Water  street,  two  or  three  small  stores.  The 
American  House  block  was  then  on  Summer  street,  and 
there  were  no  stores  on  what  is  now  lower  Main  street, 
or  Da^^  street ;  and  none  of  the  many  small  stores  so  com- 
mon at  this  time  on  any  of  the  side  streets. 

A  town  is  more  indebted  to  its  merchants  for  its  good 
name  than  to  any  other  class  of  its  citizens.  The  high 
standing  always  enjo\'ed  by  the  merchants  of  Fitchburg 
in  the  business  world  for  enterprise,  integritj^  and  fair 
dealing  has  been  one  of  the  greatest  factors  in  the  up- 
building and  growth  of  our  cit}'. 

The   Reveille  in   1864  says: 

"Our  village  will  compare  favorably  with  an3'  of  its  size  in  New  Eng- 
land in  point  of  activity,  enterprise  and  general  thrift,  as  well  as  good 
looks.  Situated  among  the  hills  of  Worcester  North  it  possesses  all  the 
advantages  of  pure  air,  sparkling  streaiTis,  Ijeautiful  landscape,  pleasant 
drives,  together  with  excellent  hotel  and  railroad  facilities,  and  every- 
thing that  tends  to  make  life  pleasant,  and  if  a  visitor  in  search  of 
health,  pleasure  or  recreation  does  not  enjoy  himself  in  Fitchburg,  it  is 
presumable  he  never  will  in  anj-  location  this  side  of  heaven." 


INSCRIPTIONS  FROM  THE  BURIAL  GROUNDS 
OF  LUNENBURG,   MASS. 


[The  following  list  of  inscriptions  from  the  Lunenburg 
burial  grounds  was  partially  copied  in  1878,  by  Mr.  E.  H. 
Marshall  of  that  town,  for  the  Worcester  Society  of  An- 
tiquity, by  whose  courtesj-  the  manuscript  has  been  trans- 
ferred to  this  society  for  publication.  Important  additions 
and  corrections,  including  inscriptions  to  a  much  later 
date,  have  been  kindly  furnished  by  Mr.  Charles  E.  Cox 
of  Lunenburg.] 


INSCRIPTIONS  FROM   SOUTH  BURIAL  GROUND. 


ADAMS. 
Erected    to    the    memory   of   Mrs.   Elizabeth    Adams,   wife 

of  the  Rev.  Zabdiel  Adams,  and  daughter  of  the  Rev. 

David  Stearns,   late  minister  of  this  towm.     She  died 

16th  August,  1800,  in  the  59th  \'ear  of  her  age. 

She  venerated  God  and  attended  the  pubHck  worship  as  long  as 

she  was  able.     Hospitality,  econonij'  and  diligence   were  the  leading 

features    of    her   character.    She  left  a   husband    and   9   children    to 

lament  her  death,  and  is  gone  to  that  world  from  whose  bourn  no 

traveller  will  return. 
George  Bellows,  son  of  Henry  £ind  Susan   Adams,  born  in 

Charlestown.     Died  in  Ashburnham  May  11,  1828,  ^t. 

15  years,  9  months. 
Mrs.    Mary    Adams,   wife    of   Nathan    Adams,    Esq.,    died 

16th  Nov.,  1795,   ^t.  72  years. 
Mary  B.  Adams,  died   Dec.   28,  1847,  in  the  57th  3-ear  of 

her  age. 
Mr.  Nathan  Adams,  died  Jan.  27th,  1798,  JBt.  77  years. 


Lunenbnrsr  SoutJi  Burial  Ground.  225 


'  t> 


This  monument  is  erected  by  the  town  as  a  tribute  of 
affectionate  respect  to  the  memory'  of  their  deceased 
pastor,  the  Rev.  Zabdial  Adams,  who  died  universally 
esteemed  and  respected  March  1st,  1801,  in  the  62d 
year  of  his  age,  and  37th  of  his  ministry. 

An  active  and  capacious  mind,  nurtured  by  a  puljlick  education, 
rendered  him  an  acceptable,  instructive  and  useful  minister.  The 
asperities  of  his  constitution  were  softened  by  the  refining  influ- 
ence of  Reliji^ion.  With  a  heart  and  understanding  formed  for  social 
life,  he  seldom  failed  to  instruct  and  improve  all  who  enjoyed  his 
communications.  In  his  ministerial  performances,  a  ready  utterance, 
commanding  eloquence  and  elevated  sentiments  made  him  engaging 
and  profitable.  A  Catholic  belief  of  the  Gospel,  a  respect  and  love 
of  the  Saviour  and  a  confidence  in  the  faithfullness  of  God,  dis- 
armed death  of  its  terrors,  and  inspired  a  rational  and  certain  hope 
of  a  glorious  Resurrection.  He  was  a  burning  and  shining  light, 
and  we  rejoiced  for  a  season  in  the  light. 

[Note.     He   was   the   son    of   Ebenezer   Adams   of   Quincy,    Mass.,    and    first 
cousin  of  President  John  Adams. — E.  H.   M.] 

Sacred   to    the   memor3^   of  Zabdiel  B.   Adams,   Esq.,   who 
died  Feb.  17,  1814,  in  the  44th  3^ear  of  his  age. 
My  Savior  once  in  silence  lay 

Within  this  dark  abode. 
Here  sweet  I'll  rest  till  he  shall  say, 
Arise  and  come  to  God. 

ALEXANDER. 
Mrs.   Elizabeth,   wife  of  William   Alexander,  died  June  21, 

1784,  vEt.  77  years. 
Mr.  William  Alexander,  died  July  27th,  1784,  in  82d  year 

of  his  age. 

AMES. 
Mr.  Aaron  Ames,  died  April  25,  1816,  aged  23  years. 
Mrs.  Martha  Bailey,  wid.  of  Mr.  Aaron   Ames,  died  Mar. 
8,  1859,  JE\.  94. 

AUSTIN. 
Mr.  Daniel  Austin,  died  April  12,  1773,  aged  46. 


226  Lunenburg  South  Burial  Ground. 

Mr.  Daniel  Austin,   who  died    Ma\-  y*^  29,   1773,   aged   7v5 

years. 
Mr.  Daniel   Austin  3d,  died   March  2d,  1809,  in  47th  year 

of  his  age. 
Mr.  John  Austin,  died  April  9,  1802,  aged  35  3'ears. 
Widow  Phebe  Austin,  died  29  Sept.  1802,  .^t.  '67. 
Mrs.    Priscella    Austin,    wife    of   Mr.    Daniel    Austin,    who 

Died  May  y^  10th,  1782,  aged  83  years. 
Mr.  Timothy  Austin,  died  March  21,  1813,  aged  53  years. 

BAILEY. 

Mrs.  Abigail   Bailey,  2d  wife  of  Dea.  Jedidiah  Bailey,  died 

Oct.  17,  1801,  in  the  61st  3'ear  of  her  age. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Bailey,  wife  of  Mr.  John  Bailej^  died  Sept. 
the  25th,  1778,  in  her  82d  year. 

Sweet  remembrance  of  the  just 
Shall  flourish  when  they  sleep  hi  dust. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  E.  Bailey,  died  July  4,  1878,  ^t.  65  years, 

11  months,  18  days. 
Dea.  Jedidiah   Bailey,  died   Mar.  26th,  1806,  in  77th  year 

of  his  age. 

Seriously  impressed  with  sacred  truths  of  Christianity,  his  life 
eminently'  exemplified  the  various  duties  of  husliand,  parent,  friend 
and  neighbor.  His  disposition  was  peaceful,  his  manners  mild  and 
conciliating,  and  his  habits  steady  and  regular.  He  was  an  agreea- 
ble companion,  and  many  years  a  faithful  and  exemplary  officer  of 
the  church  of  Christ.  Having  a  deep  sense  of  the  frailty,  the  vanity- 
and  the  emptj'  honors  of  this  life,  he  looked  forward  to  the  jo^'s  and 
felicitj'  of  heaven,  where  all  distinctions  are  levelled,  virtue  exalted, 
and  Christian  humility  rewarded  with  the  Crown  of  Glory. 
He  lived  to  die  in  him  he  put  his  trust, 
To  rise  thro'  him  triumphant  with  the  just. 

Mr.  John  Bailey,  who  departed  this  life  June  1st,  1787,  in 

the  89th  year  of  his  age. 
Mr.  Jonathan  Bailey,  died  Oct.  2,  1813,  aged  55. 
Mrs.   Martha    Bailey,   wife  of  Dea.   Jedidiah    Baile}-,   died 

April  14,  1790,  in  the  54th  year  of  her  age. 


Lniienbnrsr  South  Burial  Ground.  227 


<b 


BATHRICK. 

Mrs.    Deborah    Bathrick,    Lunenburg,    died    Dec.   6,   1780, 

aged  34. 
Stephen  Bathrick,  son  of  Mr.  Stephen  and  Emma,  his  wife, 

died  Oct.  27,  1775,  aged  5  years. 

BENNETT. 

Archelaus  T.  Bennett,  died  May  27,  1849,  ^t.  69. 
James    Bennett,     died     Dec.    8,    1838,    yEt.    56    years,    11 

months,  12  da\'s. 
Richard  S.  Bennett,  who  died  April  17,  1843,  aged  43. 
Mrs.   Sarah,   wife  of  James  Bennett,   died   Oct.   20,   1838, 

JEt.  80. 
Mrs.  Susan  Bennett,  died  June  30,  1880,   JEt.  96  years,  9 

months,  9  days. 

BILLINGS. 

Amos  Billings,  son  of  Edmund   and   Sophia,  died  at  Little 

Washington,  Va..  July  26,  1862,  ^t.  22. 
Mrs.  Anna  Billings,  wife  of  Samuel   Billings,  died  Oct.  25, 

1805,  in  55th  year  of  her  age. 
Betsey,  wife  of  Lemuel   Billings,   died  Jan.  4th,  1870,  J^t. 

80  years,  1  month. 
Edmund  Billings,  died  July  26,  1876,  .-Et.  70. 
Eliza  Billings,  wife  of  Thomas  Billings,  died  April  9,  1872, 

JEt.  74. 
Eunice  Billings,  died  April  29,  1858,  JEt.  64. 
Mr.  John  Billings,  died  Mar.  15,  1834,  Mt.  81. 
Lemuel    Billings,    died   July    30,    1864,    JEt.    11    years,    5 

months. 
Mrs.    Lucy,    wife    of  John    Billings,    died    Dec.    12,    1793, 

JE\.  41. 
Lucy  Billings,  died  July  3,  1860,  .4^t.  75. 
Maria  E.  Billings,  wife  of  George  Billings,  born  in  Shirley, 

died   Oct.  31,  1882,  ^t.  43  years,  7  months,  14  days. 
Mary,  relic  of  John  Billings,  died  Dec.  10,  1857,  ^t.  89. 


228  Liinenburg  South  Burial  Ground. 

Oliver  Bellows,  son  of  Capt.  Joseph  Billings  and  Louis, 
his  wife,  died  July  15th,  1776,  J^t.  15  years,  7  months, 
6  days.  Also,  Salmon  Bellows,  son  of  Capt.  Joseph 
and  Louis  Bilhngs,  died  Feb.  25,  1776,  ^t.  10  months. 

Mr.  Samuel  Billings,  died  April  24,  1828,  Mt.  78. 

Sophia,  wife  of  Edmund  Billings,  died  Dec.  26,  1862, 
.'Et.  51. 

Sophia  Billings,  died  Dec.  13,  1873,  JBt.  84. 

Thomas  Billings,  died  in  Leominster  Apr.  13,  1880,  ^^t. 
82  years,  2  months. 

BINGHAM. 

Frances  L.,  wife  of  Henry  Bingham,  died  June  15,  1862, 
^t.  26. 

We  know  we  shall  see  her  yet  again  in  the  fields  of  light  above. 

BOARDMAN. 

Eliza   H.,  wife  of  Warren  Boardman,  died   Aug.  23,  1848, 

Mt.  35. 
Lillis   H.,   wife  of  Warren   Boardman,   died  Aug,   9,   1858, 

^t.  37. 

They  also  which  sleep  in  Jesus  will  God  bring  with  him. 

BOWEN. 

Hannah  G.,  wife  of  Thomas  N.  Bowen,  died  Sept.  12, 
1836,  Mt.  24  years. 

BOYNTON. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Boynton,  wife  of  Jonathan  Boynton,  died 
24  Feb.,  1801,  aged  86  years. 

Here  lies  the  body  of  Air.  Hilkiah  Boynton,  who  departed 
this  life  November  16th,  1745,  in  the  58th  year  of  his 
age. 

Mr.  Jonathan  Boynton,  died  Dec.  7th,  1800,  aged  84  3^ears. 

Mrs.  Pricella  Boynton,  the  widow^  of  Mr.  Hilkiah  Boyn- 
ton, who  departed  this  life  April  y^  13th,  1777,  in  the 
89th  year  of  her  age. 


LiDicnbnrg  South  Burial  Grouud. "  229 

BROWN. 
Mrs.   Anna,   relic   of  Mr.    Phileman  Brown,  died   May   21, 

1827,  in  the  85th  year  of  her  age. 
Miss  Betsey  Brown,  died  April  14,  1821,  J^A.  27  years. 
Mr.  David  Brown,  died  Oct.  31,  1818,  aged  27. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Brown,  consort  of  Mr.  Enoch  Brown,  who 

departed  this  life  April  17,  1813,  aged  30  years. 

Her  life   was   short,  Ijiit   her   virtuous    character    and    intelligent 

mind  will  long  be  remembered  by  her  friends  and  acquaintances. 
Elizabeth   D.,   died  Jan.  30,   1853,   Mt.  29;   Mary  J.,  died 

April  22,  1853,  JEt.  32,  daughters  of  Enoch  Brown. 
Elizabeth   O.,  died   vSept.  26,   1847,  ^t.  26;   Anne  S.,  died 

Nov.    27,   1848,    ^t.   21;    Sarah    Anne,   died   Dec.    18, 

1825,  J&i.  23,  children  of  William   and   Susan   Brown. 
Mr.  Enoch  Brown,  died  June  30,  1825,  ^t.  49. 
George  D.  Brown,  son  of  Peter  and  Theodocia  Brown,  died 

Mar.  16,  1837,  .^t.  19. 
Mr.  Lifford  Brown,  died  Dec.  21,  1820,  aged  23  years. 
Mary  Brown,  died  Oct.  5,  1860,  Mt.  77  years,  11  months. 
Miss  Olive  Brown,  died  Oct.  22,  1819,  ^t.  23. 
Mrs.  Olive,  wife  of  Mr.  Peter  Brown,  died  April  20,  1828, 

Mt.  70. 
Mr.  Peter  Brown,  died  July  15,  1829,  ^t.  76. 
Mr.    Peter  Brown  Jr.,   died   April   30,  1822,   Mt.  34;   and 

his  dautr.,  Sarah   Lifford,  died   Mar.  9,   1823,  Mt.  21 

months. 
Mr.  Phileman  Brown,  who  died  of  apoplex3'  on   Monday 

morning,  July  6th,  1812,  aged  70  years. 
Mrs.  Theodocia,   relic  of   Peter    Brown   Jr.,  died    April    1, 

1844,  JEt.  53. 
William  Brown,   died  July  10,  1860,  JEt.  74.    vSusan,  his 

wife,  died  Oct.  25,  1862,  JEt.  71. 

W^ilHam   L.  Brown,   died  Jan.  23,  1879,  .Et.  46  years,  11 

months. 
It) 


230  Liinenbtirg  SoiitJi  Burial  Ground. 

BURNAM. 

Mrs.   Anna   Burnam,   wife  of  Joshua   Burnam,   died   May, 

1818,  ^t.  62  years. 
Mr.  Joshua  Burnam,  died  April  4,  1813,  JEt.  59. 

BURRAGE. 
Elizabeth,   wife   of  Simeon    Burrage,   died    June   12,    1854, 

^t.  35. 

Death,  with  his  dart,  has  pierced  my  heart 

While  I  was  in  my  prime ; 
When  this  yo\x  see  grieve  not  for  me, 
'Twas  God's  appointed  time. 
John  Burrage,  died  Jan.  23,  1848,  yEt.  32  years,  8  months. 
Lovina    Burrage,    passed    to    spirit    life    April    12,    1875, 

^t.  34. 

Though  my  earthly  form  no  more  you'll  see. 
In  spirit  garb  I  am  still  with  thee. 

CALTON. 
In  memory    of   Mr.   Abraham    Calton,   who    died    Oct.    1, 
1779,  in  the  58th  year  of  his  age. 
Our  life  is  ever  on  the  wing,  and  death  is  ever  nigh ; 
ye  living  men  come  view  the  ground,  where  you  must  shortly  lie. 

CAPEN. 

Relief,  wife  of  Henry  Capen,  died  Mar.  22,  1853,  Mt.  60 
years,  4i/^  months. 

CARLILE. 
Here  lies  the  bod}^   of  Mr.   David    Carlile,   who    departed 
this  life   May   31,   1769,  in   the  66th  year  of  his  age. 
Also    5    children,   3    sons    and    2    daughters,   all    lying 
near  this  place. 

CARTER. 

Mrs.  Bett3'  Carter,  wife  of  Mr.  Thomas  Carter,  who  died 
July  9,  1807,  in  the  87th  year  of  her  age. 

In  Milton,  Wisconsin,  Sept.  2,  1872,  Catharine,  the  wife 
of  Luke  Carter,  ^t,  74  years,  formed}-  of  Lunenburg. 


Limenbw's:  South  Burial  Ground.  231 


i> 


Hannah    (Billings)    Carter,   wife  of  Thomas    Carter,   died 

Sept.  8,  1875,  ^t.  83  years,  7  months,  8  days. 
Mr.  Phineas  Carter,  died  Sept.  29,  1834,  aged  81. 
Thomas  Carter,  died  Feb.  25,  1863,  aged  76. 
In  memory  of   Cornet  Thomas   Carter,   who  died    March 
7th,  1802,  in  the  86th  year  of  his  age. 
Great  God,  I  (nvii  this  sentence  just,  and  nature  must  deca}', 
I  yield  my  bod\-  to  the  dust,  to  dwell  with  the  clay. 

CHAPLIN. 
Asa  Chaplin,  died  Dec.  20,  1882,  ^t.  79  years,  10  months. 

CHOATE. 
Ebenezer  Choate,  died  Nov.  12,  1834,  aged  46. 
Hannah,  his  wife,  died  Nov.  29,  1859,  .^t.  68. 

CHUTE. 
Melvina   E.,  wife  of  William   G.  Chute,  died   Dec.  4,  1873, 
^t.  34  years,  1  month. 

Sleep  on,  dear  Mellie,  and  take  tli\'  rest, 
God  called  thee  home,  he  thought  best, 
There  with  the  holy  saints  to  dwell, 
Farewell,  thou  dearest  one,  farewell. 
Little  Freddie,  died  Aug.  3,  1873,  aged  1  day. 

CLAP. 
Mrs.  Mar)^  Clap,  consort  of  Mr.  Ezra  Clap,  died  Jan.  2d, 
1804,  aged  62  years. 

Depart,  my  friends,  dry  up  your  tears, 
Here  I  must  sleep  till  Christ  appears. 

COWDREY. 
Elmous    Cowdrey,   died    Oct.   22,    1870,   JEt.   73    years,   3 

months,  3  days. 
In    memory    of   Mr,   Ezra    Cowdre}^    who    died    Aug.   12, 
1834,  Mt.  68  years. 

Farewell  my  love,  and  children,  too, 
I  once  had  life  and  health  like  you, 
But  now  I'm  mouldering  in  the  dust. 
Prepare  to  die,  for  die  you  must. 


232  Lunenburg  South  Biirial  Ground. 

Marcy  Kilburn,  wife  of  Ezra  Cowdrey,  died  Feb.  16,  1869, 

J^t.  97  3'ears,  11  months. 
Mariah,   wife    of  ElmoUvS    Cowdrey,   died    Aug.   19,    1872, 

yEt.   72    3'ears,   5  months.     Our  mother. 

Mr.  William   Cowdrey,   died  Jan.  28,  1839,  ^t.  36. 

CROCKER. 

Mrs.    Lydia    Crocker,    wife    of   Capt.   Paul    Crocker,    died 
Sept.  1,  1794,  aged  67. 

CUNNINGHAM. 

Abigail,  widow   of  William   Cunningham,  Esq.,   died   April 

28,  1831,  aged  85  years. 
Erected  to  the  memory  of  Mrs.  Ann  Cunningham,  the  wafe 
of  Mr.  Nathaniel  P.  Cunningham,  and  daughter  to  the 
Rev.  Zabdiel  Adams,  who  died  Aug.  23,  1793,  aged  26. 
If  candor,  merit,  sense,  or  virtue  dies, 
Reader,  beneath  thy  feet  dead  virtue  lies, 
Yet  still  she  lives  if  worth  can  eternize; 
Vain  are  encomiums,  praise  is  idly  spent 
On  them  whose  actions  are  their  monuments. 

Daniel    P.    Cunningham,   born    in   Boston   June  22,   1826, 

died  in  Boston  Dec.  12,  1829. 
Edward   F.  Cunningham,  born  in   Boston   April   11,  1836, 

died  in  Calcutta  June  22,  1856. 
George   A.   Cunningham,   born   Aug.   30,   1827,   died    April 

12,  1875.     (Buried  in  Fitchburg.) 
Mrs.   Hannah,   wife    of  N.   F.   Cunningham,    died   July    6, 

1840,  Mt.  71. 

Unveil  thy  bosom,  faithful  tomb. 

Take  this  new  treasure  to  thy  trust. 
And  give  these  sacred  relics  room 

To  slumber  in  thy  silent  dust; 
So  Jesus  slept,  God's  dying  son, 

Passed  thro'  the  grave  and  blessed  the  bed, 
Rest  here,  Idlest  saint,  till  from  his  throne 

The  morning  breaks  and  pierce  the  shade. 


Lunenhiirz  South  Burial  Ground.  233 


'<b 


In  memory  of  James,  a  tenderly  beloved  son  of  Mr. 
Nathaniel  F.  Cunningham  and  Hannah,  his  wife,  who 
died  July  16,  1820,  aged  11  years. 

Adieu,  dear  bo3',  a  long,  a  last  adieu, 
Th^'  virtues  many,  thy  faults  but  few. 
Go,  fair  example  of  untainted  youth. 
Alluring  manners  and  pacific  truth. 
Yet  take  our  tears,  mortality's  relief. 
And  till  we  share  3'our  joys,  forgive  our  grief. 
Erected  in  memorj'  of  Mr.  James  Cunningham,  who  died 

Feb.  5,  1822,  Mt.  53. 
Martha    (Putnam),    widow    of  N.    F.    Cunningham,    died 
June  13th,  1880,  ^t.  75  years,  4  months.     (Born  Feb., 
1805). 
Nathaniel    F.    Cunningham,    died    May    2,    1841,   ^t.   71 

3'^ears. 
Nathaniel  F.  Cunningham,  born  in  Fitchburg  Feb.  7,  1798, 

died  March  27,  1871,  Mt.  73. 
William  Cunningham,  Esq.,  died  May  5,  1816,  aged  74. 

Prudence  and  industr3-,  sobriety  and   temperance,  were  the  prin- 
ciples which  guided  him  in  life  and  gave  him  peace  in  death. 
Erected  to  his  memory  by  the  wife  of  his  youth. 

Zabdiel  A.  Cunningham,  died  May  23,  1830,  aged  27 
years. 

The  young,  the  lovely  pass  away,  never  to  be  seen  again, 
Earth's  fairest  flowers  swift  decay,  its  blasted  trees  remain; 
And  kindlj'  is  the  lesson  given,  then  dry  the  falling  tear. 
They  come  to  raise  our  hearts  to  heaven,  they  go  to  call  us  there. 

CUMMINGS. 
Thaddeus  Cummings,  died  A.  D.  1815,  ^t.  69. 

DALEY. 

Aureha    Daley,    died    Jan.    26,    1882,    ^t.    81    years,    11 

months,  3  days. 
Peter  Daley,  died  March  10,  1883,  aged  78  years. 


234  Luneubjirsr  South  Burial  Ground. 


ii 


DAMON. 

Charles  C,  son  of  Mr.  Charles  and   Rebecca  Damon,  died 

Aug.  14,  ,1818,  aged  4  years. 
Mrs.  Clarissa  Damon,  died  Nov.  28,  1877,  ^t.  74. 
Ivory   Damon,   died  Jan.   25,  1881,    (in   the  Almshouse  at 

Worcester),  ^t.  75,  born   in   Lunenburg.     Also  his  2d 

wife. 
Judith   F.,  wife  of  Ivory  Damon,   died  Jan.   8,  1839,   Mi.. 

27.    Also  two  children,  1846  and  1857. 
Nancy    Damon,    died     Sept.    19,    1847,    ^t.    46    years,    7 

months,  2  da^'S. 

DIVOLL. 
Abigail,  wife   of  Phinehas  Divoll,  died   Oct.  16,  1832,  JEt. 

92. 
Charlotte,  daughter  of  Mr.  Emmons  Divoll,  died  Oct.  24, 
1808,  aged  3  years,  9  months. 

Stay,  passenger,  and  shed  a  pensive  tear 
Over  spotless  innocence  that  slumbers  here, 
Like  a  fair  flower  in  spring,  the  garden's  pride, 
Nipped  in  the  bloom  of"  opening  sweet  she  died, 
Yet  not  for  her  should  pit3''s  tear  be  given, 
She  changes  pain  for  bliss  and  earth  for  heaven, 
Weep  for  a  father's  heart,  with  grief  opprest, 
And  keen  anguish  of  a  mother's  breast. 
Elizabeth,  relic  of  Emmons  Divoll,  died   Oct.  7,  1850,  Mt. 

72. 
In  memor}'   of  Emmons  Divoll,   who  died   Oct.   20,   1816, 

Mt.  43. 
Harriet    A,,   wife  of   Phineas    Divoll,   died   July   14,   1849, 

^t.  39. 
Phinehas  Divoll,  died  July  22,  1811,  Mt.  80. 
In  memory  of  Phinehas  Divoll,  died  Dec.  10,  1819,  aged  56. 

DODGE. 

Mrs.    Abigail    Dodge,    wife    of  Thomas    Dodge,   died   Jan. 
7th,  1770,  aged  29  years. 


Lunenburg  South  Burial  Ground.  235 

Mr.  Eli  Dodge,  died  Jan.  22d,  1774,  aged  52  years. 

Mrs.  Marger}'  Dodge,  wife  of  Mr.  Noah   Dodge,  died   May 

y^  19,  1774,  in  76th  year  of  her  age. 
Mr.  Noah  Dodge,  died  Jan.  20th,  1780,  aged  82. 

EATON. 

Mrs.   Hannah   Eaton,   died  Nov.  11,   1823,  ^t.  28  years- 
Friends  or  plu'sicians  could  not  save, 
My  mortal  bod}'  from  the  grave, 
Nor  can  the  grave  confine  it  here, 
When  Christ  shall  call  me  to  appear. 

EMERSON. 

Erected  to  the  memory  of  Mrs.  Polly  Emerson,  wife  of 
Mr.  John  Emerson,  who  died  26th  July,  1804,  aged  26 
years. 

She  possessed  a  heart  which  knew  no  disguise,  where  was  de- 
posited the  purest  conjugal  aflfection,  the  tenderest  feelings  of  a 
mother,  the  nicer  sensations  of  friendship,  and  universal  charity. 
She  bore  with  Christian  fortitude,  through  distress,  pain,  and  all 
the  woes  of  life ;  having  assurance  through  the  Saviour  of  men  of 
receiving  hereafter  the  reward  of  the  faithful.  Although  immured  in 
the  clods  of  the  valley',  3'et  may  her  memor\'  he  blessed. 

ESTABROOK. 

Jedidiah  Estabrook,  Esq.,  who  having  received  a  public 
education,  and  entering  into  civil  life  was  commis- 
sioned for  the  peace,  by  Governor  Hancock,  in  March, 
1781.  Falling  into  a  languishment,  he  departed  this 
life  to  the  loss  of  the  town  and  grief  of  his  famih^, 
Aug.  29th,  1782,  in  the  42d  year  of  his  age. 
In  him  the  gentleman,  the  scholar  and  the  Christian  were  united. 

Samuel  Flagg  Estabrook,  son  of  Jedediah  and  Mar^-,  his 
wife,  who  died  Sept  y^  9th,  1779,  aged  2  years. 

EVERETT. 

Ann,  wife  of  John  C.  Everett,  died  Mar.  31,  1868,  Mt. 
84  years. 


236  Limenburg  South  Burial  Ground. 

John    C.    Everett,    died   July    23,    1879,   Mt.   85    years,   2 
months,  11  days. 

FAIRBANK. 

Betsej'-   Holden,  wife  of  Ephraim   Fairbank,  died   Aug.  20, 
1857,  JEt.  65. 

'Tis  hard  to  part  with  those  we  love, 

Souls  with  our  own  entwined; 
But  faith  looks  up  thro'  cloud  and  tear, 
And  bids  us  be  resigned. 
Mr.  EHjah  Fairbank,  died  Jan.  11th,  1811,  aged  40  years. 
Here  my  body  lies, 

Mouldering  back  to  dust; 
My  soul  has  gone  to  God  again, 
To  receive  its  sentence  just. 
Ephraim  Fairbank,  died  May,  1826,  ^t.  35. 

Though  earthh'  ties  are  riven, 
We  still  may  hope  to  meet  again, 
In  3'onder  peaceful  heaven. 

FARWELL. 
Jean    Farwell,    wife    of  John    Farwcll,   died    Feb.   y'^  5th, 
1755,  aged  42  years. 

FESSENDEN. 

Mrs.  Martha  Fessenden,  widow  of  Mr.  Jonathan   Fessen- 
den,  w^ho  died  Mar.,  1802,  in  the  81st  year  of  her  age. 

FISKE. 

Here  Hes  y^  body  of  Mr.  John  Fiske,  w^ho  departed  this 
life  April  1st,  1772,  in  the  74th  year  of  his  age. 

FORBES. 
Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Forbes,  3'oungest  dau.  of  Edmund  and  So- 
phia Billings,  died  Oct.  7,  1878,  Mt.  26  years. 

FOSTER. 
Ellen   D.,   daughter  of  George  and    Roxanne  Foster,   died 

Oct.  27,  1856,  ^t.  16  years,  5  months,  17  days. 
George  Foster,  died  June  26,  1878,  Mt.  63. 


Litnenbiirg  South  Burial  Ground.  237 

Isaac  Foster,  died  Oct.  21,  1865,  ^t.  52  years,  9  months. 
Mary  A.,   wife  of  Isaac  Foster,   died  Nov.   5,   1872,   Mt. 

44. 
Mrs.   Sarah    Foster,   wife    of  Dea.   Benjamin    Foster,   died 

July  the  1st,  1783,  ^t.  72  years. 

FOWLER. 

Mr.  Richard  Fowler,  who  deceased  April  3d,  1785,  in  the 
35th  year  of  his  age. 

Mr.  Ezekiel  Fowler,  who  departed  this  life  in  a  comforta- 
ble hope  of  a  better,  Feb.  the  14,  1777,  aged  34, 

Susanna  Fowler,  dautr.  of  Richard  Fowler  and  Ruth,  his 
wife,  died  Feb.  6,  1767,  in  the  21st  year  of  her  age. 

FRANCIS. 
Mr.  Daniel  Francis,  who  died  Nov.  5,  1813,  Mt.  47. 
Mrs.  Lucy  Francis,  relic  of  Mr.  Simon  Francis,  died   Mar. 

26,  1828,  Mt.  49. 
Mr.  Martin  Francis,  died  Dec.  27,  1832,  Mt.  25. 
Mr.  Simon  Francis,  died  May  21,  1819,  ^t.  45. 

GIBSON. 

Mr.    Arrington    Gibson,    died    Feb.    24,  A.  D.   1756,   in  y^ 

39th  year  of  his  age. 
Eliza  P.  Gibson,  wife  of  George  E.  Martin,  died   at  Troy, 
N.  Y.,  April  7,  1853,  Mt.  33  years,  8  months,  23  days. 
I  would  not  live  alway, 

No — welcome  the  tomb ; 
Since  Jesus  laid  there, 

I  dread  not  its  gloom; 
There  sweet  be  my  rest, 

Till  he  bid  me  arise, 
To  hail  him  in  triumph, 
Descending  the  skies. 
Capt.  John    Gibson,   died   June    10th,   A.   D.   1761,   in  the 
54th  3'ear  of  his  age. 

Dear  friends,  for  me  do  not  weep, 
I  am  not  dead,  but  here  do  sleep, 


^38  Lunenburg  South  Burial  Ground. 

Within  this  solid  lump  of  clay, 
Until  the  resurrection  day, 
And  here  indeed  must  remain 
Till  Christ  shall  raise  me  up  again. 
Mrs.   Kezia   Gibson,   wife  of  Mr.   Isaac  Gibson,   died   Feb. 

7tli,  A.  D.  1766,  in  the  41st  3'ear  of  her  age. 
Mrs.   Mary    Gibson,   wife  of   Mr.   Arrington    Gibson,   died 

15th  July,  1795,  aged  78. 
Mary,   wife  of  Stephen  Gibson,   died   Sept.  18,  1853,   J^t. 
61  years,  2  months. 

Thou  art  gone  to  thy  rest,  mother, 

Thy  toils  and  cares  are  over; 
And  sorrow,  pain  and  suffering  now 

Shall  never  distress  thee  more. 
Thou  art  gone  to  thy  rest,  mother, 

Thy  sins  are  all  forgiven ; 
And  saints  in  light  have  welcomed  thee, 
To  share  the  joys  of  heaven. 
Stephen  Gibson,  died  Jan.  18,  1864,  Mt.  80  years. 
Mr.  Thomas  Gibson,  died  April  4,  1827,  Mt.  66. 

GILCHREST. 

In  memory  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Gilchrest,  wife  of  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Gilchrest,  who  died  May  25th,  1804,  ^t.  79. 

In  memor^^  of  Mr.  William  Gilchrest,  who  died  June  11th, 
1796,  ^t.  85. 

GILvSON. 
Jonas  Gilson,  died   Oct.  y'^  20th,  1739,  in  y*^  38th  year  of 
his  age. 

GOING. 
Mrs.   Hannah  Going,   wife  of  Jonathan  Going,   died   May 

4th,  1812,  in  the  66th  year  of  her  age. 
Mr.  Jonathan  Going,  died  Dec.  12,  1820,  aged  82. 

GOODRICH. 

Mrs.  Abigail,  wife  of  Simon  Goodrich,  died  Nov.  11,  1843, 
J^t.  36  years,  9  months. 


Lnnenburar  South  Burial  Groutid.  239 


&, 


Joseph  Goodrich,  died  Maj'  20,  1881,  in  the  86th  year  of 
his  age.  (85  years,  20  da^^s.)  He  was  the  5th  gener- 
ation from  Phihp,  son  of  Joseph,  the  first  settler  from 
Newbury. 

Joseph  Prescott  Goodrich,  died  July  13,  1859,  ^t.  26. 

Lewis  Augustus  Goodrich,  died  Jan.  6,  1865,  lEt.  28  years, 
7  months;  also  two  sons  (died  3^oung),  sons  of  Joseph 
and  Lucy  Goodrich. 

Lucy  Hazen,  wife  of  Joseph  Goodrich,  died  Oct  11,  1879, 
vEt.  78  3'ears,  0  months,  1  Ao^y. 

Simon  Goodrich,  died  Oct.  20,  1858,  Mt.  52. 

GOODRIDGE. 
Mrs.  Abigail,  wife  of  Dea.  Benjamin  Goodridge,  died  April 

14,  1827,  Mt.  77. 
Asenath  Goodridge,  died  May  4,  1858,  ^t.  57. 

Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord. 
Here    lies    the    \)o(\y    of    Benjamin    Goodridge,   Esq..    who 
departed  this  life  on  the   19th   of  April,   1773,   in  the 
73d  3'^ear  of  his  age. 

Born  in  Newbury,  N.  England,  early   came  to  this  town,  had  a 
principal   share  in   public  business,   was  for  manj-  years  captain   of 
one  of  the  military  companies,  and  received  under  Governor  Bernard 
a  commission  for  the  peace  in  the  year  1762,  which  office  he  sus- 
tained with  dignity  and  advantage,  and  is  now  gone  to  that  world 
where  earthly  distinctions  cease  and  virtue  alone  shall  be  exalted. 
A  wit's  a  feather,  and  a  chief's  a  rod, 
An  honest  man's  yc  noblest  work  of  God. 
Dea.  Benjamin  Goodridge,  died  June  30,  1834,  ^t.  96. 
Behold  the  spirit  of  the  just 

Ascends  to  God  on  high, 
And  though  the  lovely  sleep  in  dust. 

The  soul  shall  never  die. 
Farewell,  dear  friends,  a  long  farewell. 

For  we  shall  meet  no  more 
Till  we  are  raised  with  thee  to  dwell, 
On  Zion's  happy  shore. 


240  Lunenburg  South  Burial  Ground. 

Benjamin  Goodridge,  died  Nov.  22,  1867,  ^t.  93. 

Betsey,   wife  of   Phineas    Goodridge,   died    Feb.    14,    1839, 

JEt.  11. 

Rejoice  for  a  mother  in  Israel  deceased, 

Our  loss  is  her  infinite  gain ; 

A  soul  out  of  prison  released, 

And  freed  from  her  bodil}^  pain. 

In   memory   of   Mrs.   Elizabeth    Goodridge,   wife  of   Lieut. 
David  Goodridge,  who  departed   this  life  March  27th, 
1764,  in  y*^  49th  ^-ear  of  her  age. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Goodridge,  wife  of  Capt.  Oliver  Goodridge, 

died  Nov.  25th,  1798,  in  the  46th  year  of  her  age. 
Mr.  Ezekiel  Goodridge,  who  departed  this  life  Aug.  30th, 

1777,  in  the  65th  year  of  his  age. 
Consecrated   to  the  memory   of  Mrs.   Hannah  Goodridge, 
wife    of  Lieut.    Levi    Goodridge,   who    died    Aug.   9th, 
1812,  Mt.  31  years. 
Mrs.  Jane,   relic  of  Philip    Goodridge,   who  died    Dec.   13, 

1806,  JEt.  84. 
Ensign  Joshua  Goodridge,  who  was  born  in  Newbury,  and 
he    departed    this    life    in    Lunenburg    on    the    29th   of 
Octr.,  1782,  in  the  75th  3^ear  of  his  age. 
Death  strikes  our  comforts  dead, 
The  grave  our  friends  entomb, 
But  of  their  prey  will  be  bereav'd 
When  Christ  the  Lord  shall  come. 
In    memor\'    of   Mr.    Joshua    Goodridge,   son   of   Phinehas 
Goodridge,  who  died  July  4,  1829,  41. 
Farewell,  my  true  and  loving  wife. 

My  children  and  my  friends, 
I  hope  in  heaven  to  see  you  all. 
When  all  things  have  their  ends. 
This    stone    consecrated    to    the    memory    of    Mrs.    Lydia 
Goodridge,    wife    of    Dea.    Benjamin    Goodridge,    who 
yielded   her  mortal    part  to  the  prudent,   faithful   and 
virtuous  wife,  who  was  the  crown  of  her  husband,  as 
an  affectionate  mother  and  a  sincere  Christian,  benev- 


Limenbiirg  South  Burial  Grotind.  241 

olent,  peaceable,  forbearing.  She  did  good  to  all  in 
her  sphere,  and  by  all  her  memory  is  blessed.  She  was 
patient  and  resigned  under  long  and  severe  sickness, 
and  died  in  the  humble  hope  of  finding  rest  in  another 
and   better  world.     Died  Jan.  28,  1812,  yEt.  69  years. 

Mrs.  Mary,  wife  of  Joshua  Goodridge,  died  Aug.  20,  1837, 
^t.  39. 

Sacred  to  the  mem.or^y  of  Capt.  Oliver  Goodridge,  who 
died  Oct.  4th,  1814,  .^t.  65. 

Here  lies  the  bod^^  of  Mr.  Philip  Goodridge,  2nd.  son  of 
Mr.  Joseph  &  Martha  Goodridge,  who  was  born  at 
Newbury,  and  died  at  Lunenburg  Jan-T  16th,  1728,  in 
y^  60th  3^ear  of  his  age. 

The  first  man  interred  in  this  place. 

Mr.  Philip  Goodridge,  who  died  Dec.  18,  1797,  Mt.  84. 
Mr.  Phineas  Goodridge,  died  Dec.  28,  1845,  .^t.  86  years, 
3  inonths,  11  days. 

No  mortal  woes 

Can  reach  the  peaceful  sleeper  here 
While  angels  watch  the  soft  repose. 
Erected  by   Lieut.  Phinehas  Goodridge  as  tribute  of  affec- 
tionate respect  to  the  memory  of  his  deceased  mother, 
Lydia  Goodridge,  wife  of  Ensn.  Joshua  Goodridge,  who 
died  7th  March,  1805,  in  the  86th  year  of  her  age. 
Let  virtue  prove  your  never-fading  bloom, 
For  mental  beauties  survive  the  tomb. 
Mrs.  Rebeckah   Goodridge,  relic  of  Mr.  Ezekiel  Goodridge, 

who  died  March  4th,  1809,  yEt.  85. 
Sally  Goodridge,  dautr.  of  Mr.  Simon   Goodridge  and  Sa- 
rah, his  wife,  who  died  Sept.  14,  1817,  in  the  8th  year 
of  her  age. 

This  lovely  bud,  so  j'oung  and  fair, 

Called  hence  by  early  doom, 
Just  came  to  show  how  sweet  a  flower 
In  paradise  would  bloom. 
This  stone  is  sacred  to  the  memory  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Good- 
ridge, wife  of  Benjamin  Goodridge,  Esq.,  who  departed 


242  Lunenburg  South  Bnrial  Ground. 

this  life,  in  comfortable  hope  of  a  better,  on  the  19th 
of  June,  1776,  in  the  70th  year  of  her  age. 
A  solemn  tale  to  you  1  tell, 
Who  on  the  earth  hast  still  to  dwell, 
That  as  I  once  was,  like  to  thee, 
So  you  will  be  like  to  me. 
Mrs.  Sarah,  rehc  of  Mr.  Simon  Goodridge,  died  March  22, 

1837,  aged  65. 
Mr.  Simon  Goodridge,  died  Nov.  9,  1832,  yEt.  69. 

GOULD. 

Capt.  Jacob  Gould,  died  July   16,  1787,  in  the  85th  year 

of  his  age. 
To    the    memory   of  an   affectionate    mother,   Lucinda   A., 
wife  of  James  A.  Gould,  died  Dec.  7,  1861,  J^t.  72. 
Dearest  mother,  thou  hast  left  us, 

Here  thy  loss  we  deeply  feel, 
But  'tis  God  that  hath  bereft  us. 

He  can  all  our  sorrows  heal. 
Yet  again  we  hope  to  meet  thee. 

When  the  day  of  life  is  fled. 
Then  in  heaven  with  joy  to  greet  thee, 
Where  no  farewell  tear  is  shed. 
Lydia    Gould,    widow    of  Thomas    Gould,   died    April   13, 

1867,  ^t.  87  years,  6  months. 
Thomas  Gould,  died  Dec.  31,  1865,  Mt.  89. 

GRAHAM. 

Mr.  Alexander  Graham,  died  Nov.  7.  1840,  JEt.  60. 
Naked  from  the  earth  we  came. 

And  crept  to  life  at  first. 
We  to  the  earth  return  again, 

And  mingle  witli  the  dust. 

Ephraim  Graham,   died   Apr.   12,  1879,   JEt.  11  years,  11 

months. 
Mrs.  Hepsibeth,  wife  of  Alexander  Graham,  died  Aug.  15, 

1840,  Mt.  56. 
Mary  Graham,  died  Jan.  19,  1879,  Mt.  72. 


Lunenburg  South  Burial  Ground.  243 

Sarah    Gushing,    wife  of   Ephraim    Graham,    died   July  7, 
1875,  .'Et.  64  years. 

GREENOUGH. 

Edward  Greenough,  died  Aug.  3,  1874,  Mt.  67. 

GROUT. 

Here    lies    the  body   of   Endyma  Grout,   the  daur.  of  Mr. 

John  Grout  and    Mrs.    Phebe,   his  wife,   who  departed 

this  life  April  24th,  A.  D.  1759. 
How  loved  or  valued  once,  availed  her  not ;  a  heap  of  dust  alone  remains. 

HADLEY. 

Almira  Hadley,  died  Sept.  30,  1852,  .^t.  51. 
Calvin  Hadley,  born  in  Sterling  Aug.  30,  1807,  died   Nov. 
6,  1881,  JEt.  74  years,  2  months,  7  days. 

Rest,  father,  rest. 

Ebenezer  Hadley,  born  Jan.  6,  1806,  died  Get.  27,  1881. 

Rest,  brother,  rest. 
Jacob  Hadley,  died  Dec.  11,  1881,  JEt.  89  years,  7  months, 

27  days.     (Birthplace,  Jaffrey,  N.  H.) 
John  Hadley,  died  Feb.  11,  1845,  ^t.  80. 
Submit,   wife  of  John   Hadley,  died   March    18,  1822,  .^t. 

55. 

William  R.  Hadley,  died  P>b.  18,  1855,  ^t.  36. 

HALL. 
Mrs.   Charlotte,   wife  of  Caleb  B.   Hall,    Esqr.,   died    Nov. 
14,  1830,  JEt.  67. 

HARKNESS. 
In    memory    of    Mrs.    Mar3'     Harkness,    wife    of    Thomas 
Harkness,  who  died  4  April,  1804,  in  the  97th  year  of 
her  age. 
In  memory   of  Miss   Nancy   Harkness,   daughter  of  Lieut. 
Thomas   and   Mrs.  Elizabeth   Hjirkness,   who  died   7th 
March,  1802,  in  the  25th  3^ear  of  her  age. 
Retire,  my  friends,  drj-  up  your  tears, 
Here  I  must  lie  till  Christ  appears. 


244  Litnenburo;  South  Burial  Ground. 


&> 


In    memory  of   Miss    Sarah    Harkness,    daughter    of   Mr. 

Thomas    Harkness  and    Elizabeth,   his  wife,   who  died 

Augt.  y^  17th,  1795,  aged  20  years. 
Here  lies  y*^  body  of  Mr.  Thomas  Harkness,  who  departed 

this  life  March  y'^  25,  A.  I).  1753,  being  46  years  old. 
In  memory   of  Mr.   Thomas  Harkness,   w^ho   died  June   8, 

1819,  ^t.  79. 

HARRLS. 

Mrs.   Betse}'   Harris,   wife    of  Capt.    William    Harris,   died 

Nov.  15,  1819,  ^t.  40. 
Charles  A.   Harris,   died    March   13,    1865,   ^t.   28  years, 

10  months. 

A  member  of  the  4th   New   Hampshire   regiment. 

Calmly  now  the  Ijrave  soldier  is  sleeping, 
On  the  coffin's  cold  pillow,  in  his  low,  dreamless  bed, 

While  gathered  around  him  his  kind  friends  are  weeping, 
Mourning  in  anguish  for  their  loved  one  now  dead. 

Miss  Esther  Harris,  died  April  23,  1833,  .^t.  24. 

Mrs.  Hannah,  wife  of  Capt.  William  Harris,  died   Sept.  6, 

1856,  ^t.  72. 
James  Harris,  died  April  10,  1863,  ^t.  58. 
James  M.  Harris,  died  May  30,  1854,  JEt.  21  years. 
Jerome    G.   Harris,   died   July   20,   1877,   .^t.   29  years,   1 

month,  18  days. 
Nancy,  daughter  of  William  and  Betsey  Harris,  died  April 

4,  1830,  aged  18  years. 
Oscar    F.    Harris,    died   July    5,    1859,    ^t.    23    years,    8 

months. 
Capt.   William   Harris,  died  Oct.   11,  1839,  vEt.  59. 
William  Harris,  died  June  30,  1878,  JEt.  75  years. 

His   record   is   on   high. 

HARROD. 
Capt.  Noah  Harrod,  died  April  8,  1820,  aged  56. 

Sudden  the  stroke  which  made  me  fall, 

And  gave  my  life  to  death  a  prey; 
As  swift  to  me,  to  me,  to  all, 

Shall  come  the  resurrection  dav. 


LniuJibnrg  SoutJi  Burial  Gronnd.  245 


HART. 
Miss  Phe])e  Hart,  died  2d  May,  1804-,  aged  54. 

HARTWELL. 
Abraham  Hartwell,  died  Aug.  1,  1852,  .^t.  50. 

Farewell  till  we  meet  again. 

Asahel  Hartwell,  died  18th  Dec,  1803,  .Et.  89. 

Mr.  Eleazer  Hartwell,  son  of  Mr.  Jonathan    Hartwell  and 

Elizabeth,    his    wife,   died    17   July,    1800,   in    the    33d 

year  of  his  age. 
Jacob  Hartwell,  died  Oct.  26,  1844,  ^t.  79  years. 
Jane  Hartwell,  died  Dec.  10,  1880,  .-Et.  86  years,  4  months, 

2  days. 
Mr.  John  Hartwell,  died  Oct.  1,  A.  D.  1817,  .-Et.  47  years. 
Capt.  Joseph  Hartwell,  died  Jan.  30,  1872,  JEt.  91  years, 

6   months.     His   wives:    Betse\'  Johnson,   died    May  8, 

1828,    .Et.   43   years,    9    months;    Eunice    Wood,   died 

Dec.  21,  1831,  JEt.  39  years,  4  months. 
Lois,  wife   of  Jacob   Hartwell,  died   Aug.  5,  1863,  .Et.  91 

years,  10  months. 
Mrs.  Polly  Hartwell,  wife  of  John  Hartwell,  died  Dec.  18, 

1813,  .Et.  42  years. 
Mrs.    Sarah    Hartwell,   wife   of   Mr.  John    Hartwell,   died 

April  12,  1816,  .Et.  34. 
Sarah   H.  Hartwell,  died   May  20,  1877,  .Et.  80  years,  8 

months,  9  days. 
Mrs.    Tabitha   Hartwell,   y^'  wife  of  Mr.  Joseph    Hartwell, 

died  April  26th,  1756,  in  y^  30th  year  of  her  age. 

HASELTINE. 
Mr.  Amos  Haseltine,  died  Nov.  9th,  1794,  aged  78. 

HASKELL. 
Mrs.   Betsey,    wife   of   Capt.    Peter    N.   Haskell,    who  died 
Sept.  7,  1816,  .Et.  29. 


246  Liincnburs'  South  Burial  Ground. 


'^> 


Airs.  Sarah  Haskell,  relic  of  Dr.  Abrm.  Haskell,  died  April 
15,  1795,  A^A.  43. 

Stop,  traveler,  and  behold  the  end  of  all  flesh. 

HASTINGS. 

In  memor}'  of  Mrs.  Lois  Hastings,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Na- 
thaniel Hastings,  who  deceased  March  2d,  1788,  in 
the  66th  year  of  her  age. 

Death  is  a  debt  by  nature  due, 
Which  I  have  paid,  so  must  you. 

Erected  by  her  son,  Jonathan  Hastings. 
Mary  Hastings,  died  Feb.  17,  1863,  Mt.  67. 
Asleep  in  Jesus !  Blessed  sleep, 
From  which  none  ever  wake  to  weep ; 
Asleep  in  Jesus;  Oh,  how  sweet 
To  be  for  such  a  slumber  meet.  • 

HAYDEN. 
Mrs.   Sabra,   wife   of  Joseph   Hayden,  formerly   of  Boston, 
died  June  1,  1852,  JE\.  72. 

HENDERSON. 

Emma  P.,  daughter  of  Edward  N.  and  Annie  M.  Hender- 
son, died  Nov.  8,  1870,  J^t.  11  years,  6  months. 

HENRY. 

John    Henry,    died   Jan.   22,    1859,   .-Et.   75.     Buried    four 

children. 
Mrs.  Mary  Henry,  wife  of  Mr.  John  Henry,  died  Nov.  11, 

1823,  aged  38. 
Nancy  T.,  wafe  of  John   Henry,   died   vSept.   23,  1849,  JEt. 

57. 

HEYWOOD. 

Albert  Lincoln,  eldest  son  of  Humphrey  and  Theoda  Hey- 
wood,  died  Nov.  8,  1864,  yEt.  19  years,  6  months. 

One  less  to  love  on  earth;  one  more  to  meet  in  heaven. 
Given   to   his   country. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hey  wood,  died  Sept.   19,  1781,  aged  25. 


LuNeiibitr<r  South  Burial  Ground.  247 


■'^ 


George    Heywood,    died    Dec.   28,   1850,   JEt.   29  years,   2 

months,  26  days. 
George    Humphrey,    youngest    son    of    Humphrey    B.   and 

Theoda   Heywood,  died   Xov.  17,  1864,  .-Et.  12  years, 

10  months. 

'Tis  but  tlie  casket  that  lies  here; 

The  gem  that  filled  it  sparkles  yet. 

George  Lincohi,   son   of   George  and    Mary  W.   Heywood, 

died  Xov.  9,  1851,  JEt.  9  years. 
Dea.  John  He^^wood,  died  June  12,  1779,  aged  76. 
Mr.  John  P.  Heywood,  died  Xov.  19,  1827,  Aged  73. 
Sons   of  John   P.   and    Lydia   Heywood :  Jonas,   died   May 

26,  1812,  JEt.  26;  John,  died  Jan.  6,  1804-,  .43t.  20. 
Dea.  Lincoln  Heywood,  died  Oct.  30,  1867,  ^'Et.  76  years, 

6  months. 
Mrs.   L3'dia  Heywood,   relic   of  Mr.  John    Heywood,   died 

May  21,  1828,  aged  71. 
Rebecca   Priest,    wife   of  Lincoln    Heywood,   died    Jan.    11, 

1872,  JEt.  76  years,  8  months. 
Capt.  Samuel  Heywood,  died  June  26,  184-1,  JE\.  4-7. 
In   memor\'   of    Mrs.   Susanna    Heywood,   wife  of  Xathan 

Heywood,  who  died  23  Feb.,  1799,  in  the  83d  year  of 

her  age. 

HILLS. 

Mrs.  Betsey   P.,  second   wife  of  Dr.  E.  P.  Hills,  died   May 

15,  1841,  aged  38  years. 
Lucy   G.,  wife  of  John   Hills,   died   Xov.  13,  1853,  .E:t.  58 

years,  11  months,  13  days. 
Mrs.   Ruth    Hills,   wife   of   Dr.   E.    P.   Hills,   died   Aug.    2d, 

1826,  aged  21  years. 

HITCHCOCK. 

Daniel  E.  Hitchcock,  died  Dec.  6,  1853,  .Et.  27. 
He  hastened  home  to  die  midst  those  he  loved. 
Henry  D.  Hitchcock,  died  Aug.  6,  1873,  ^t.  40. 

His  faith  was  in  God. 


248  Litnciibunz  SoiitJi   Burial  Gtvitiid. 


'  i> 


H  OLDEN. 
John  B.  Holden,  died  June  5,  1877,  yEt.  (11  years,  5  months, 

14  da\^s. 
Revdjen   Holden,   died   Aug.  16,    1858,   .Et.  GO.     Mary,   his 

wife,    died    Oet.    11,    1858,   Ai^t.    57.     Lorenzo,    son    of 

Reuben   and    Mary   Holden,   died   Mar.   25,   1860,   JEt. 

16  years. 

HOLT. 
Mrs.  Doreas   Holt,  •  widow   of  Mr.  Josei)h    Holt,  died  June 
11,  1775,  aged  60  years. 

HOUGHTON. 

Here  lies  the  bodies  of  Mr.  Eleazer  Houghton  and  Mrs. 
Elizabeth,  his  wife.  He  died  Feb.  20,  1790,  in  the 
100th  year  of  his  age;  and  she  died  June  27,  1785,  in 
the  92d  vear  of  her  age.  Thev  were  born  in  Lan- 
caster,  and  moved  to  Lunenburg  in  the  year  1726. 
They  lived  together  a  married  life  sixt3'-nine  years  tind 
upwards.  He  lived  a  i)eaceable  and  pious  life,  and 
never  had   a  lawsuit  in   all   his  life. 

B_v  this  you  see  we  are  but  dust; 

Prepare  for  death  and  follow  us. 

Mr.    Eleazer  Houghton,   died   Dec.   28,    1828,   in    the  90th 

year  of  his  age. 
In    memory    of   Mrs.    Elizabeth     Houghton,    wife    of    Mr. 
Stephen    Houghton,    who  died   4th   Dec,    1808,   in   the 
35th  year  of  her  age. 

Friends  and  physicians  could  not  save 
My  mortal  body  from  the  grave; 
Nor  can  the  grave  confine  it  here 
When  Christ  shall  call  me  to  appear. 

Helen   M.  (Heywood)  Houghton,  died   Dec.  17,  1878,  A-A. 

31  years,  3  months,  17  days. 
Mr.  Oliver   Houghton,  died    Sept.  26,  1825,  Al\.  1-9.     Mrs. 

Ruth,  his  wife,  died  Eel).  19,  1844,  .E:t.  70. 


Luiieiibtirtr  South  Burial  Ground.  249 


<•> 


Sally   B.,  widow  of  Benj.   Houghton,   died   Feb.  15,  1850, 

.^t.  70  years,  11  months. 
Mr.  Stephen  Houghton,  died  July  22,  1825,  Alt.  55. 
In    memory    of     Mrs.    Susanna    Houghton,    wife    of     Mr. 

Eleazer    Houghton,   who    died    19    Aug.,    1800,   in   the 

58th  year  of  her  age. 

How  swift  doth  time  pass  awa3', 
The  longest  life  is  but  a  day ; 
Therefore  attend,  ye  living;,  all, 
Prepare  for  death,  your  Savior  calls. 

HUCHINS. 
In  memory  of  Captain  Joshua  Huchins,  who  was  born  at 
Groton  in   the    year    1696.     He    departed    this    life  at 
Lunenburg,   August  the   15th,    1771,    and   in   the  75th 

year  of  his  age. 

The  sweet  remembrance  of  the  just. 
Shall  flourish  when  he  sleeps  in  dust. 

HUTCHINSON. 
Silas  W.  Hutchinson.     Eliza  Low,  his  wife,  Sept.  16,  1872, 
J^t.  70  3'ears,  2  months,  16  days. 

Blessed   are  the  pure  in  heart. 

JEWETT. 
Mary,  wife  of  David   S.  Jewett,   died  June  29,  1860,  MX. 

41  years. 

She  made  m\-  home  the  pleasantest  spot  on  earth  to  me. 

Emma   F.,   wife  of  David   S.  Jewett.   died    May   20,  1867, 
Alt.  35. 

My  Emma  has  gone  to  the  skies, 

For  Jesus  has  bid  her  to  come ; 
She  at  his  command  did  arise, 

And  is  now  with  her  Savior  at  home. 

JOHNSON. 

In    incmor}'   of  Mr.  Benjamin  Jolmson,  who  died    h\'b.  27, 
1823,  .'Et.  73. 

Ik-hold  how  generations  ]iass  away. 


250  Liiuenbunr  South  Burial  Ground. 


'i> 


Benjamin  Johnson,   died   Sept.  16,  1872,   ^Et.  70  years,  2 

months,  16  days. 
Here  Hes  interred   y^  body   of  Mrs.  Hannah  Johnson,  late 

eonsort  of  Mr.  Samuel  Johnson,  who  departed   her  life 

in  comfortable  hope   of  a   better,  Aug.  the  4,  1779,  in 

the  65th  year  of  her  age. 
In  memory   of   Mrs.    Mary,   relic  of   Mr.    Benjamin    John- 
son, who  died  April  15,  1831,  aged  70. 
Mary    Johnson,     died    Dec.    17,    1880,    .-Et.    87    years,    4 

months,  21  days. 
Here  lies  buried  the  body   of  Nathan  Johnson,  son  of  Dea. 

Samuel  and  Rebecka  Johnson,  who  died  April  2,  1755, 

aged  24  years. 
Mrs.    Sally   Johnson,   relic    of   Mr.    Samuel   Johnson,   died 

Aug.  23,  1820,  aged  99. 
Here  lies  the  body  of  Dea.  Samuel  Johnson,  who  departed 

this  life  July  11,  A.  D.  1765,  in  the  73d  year  of  his  age. 

The  sin  of  Adain  has  laid  nie  low, 
For  sin  hath  wrought  an  overthrow. 
From  dust  I  came,  to  dust  I  am  come, 
And  now  the  dust  has  become  my  home; 
When  Christ  comes  down  with  saints  to  reign, 
Then  dust  me  no  more  shall  detain. 

In  memory  of  Mr.  Samuel  Johnson,  who  died   Feb.    10th, 
1794,  in  the  73d  year  of  his  age. 

Come,  friends,  and  drop  a  sympathetic  tear, 
k  worthy  friend,  a  doctor,  moulders  liere; 
In  good  old  age  he  met  the  solemn  call, 
And  paid  a  debt  of  nature  owed  b\-  fill; 
But,  hold !   God  pleased  to  give,  'twas  his  to  take, 
We  trust  he's  happy,  for  his  Savior's  sake. 
Samuel  Johnson,  died  May  23,  1877,  Mt.  76. 
Sarah    Johnson,    died     Oct.    10,    1879,    .Et.    83    years,    8 
months,  19  days. 

K I  LB  URN. 
Asa  Kilburn,  died  March  29,  1876,  Mt.  74. 

Dear  father,  we  miss  thee;   there  is  rest  in  heaven. 


Lunenhnror  South  Burial  Grou7id.  251 


'i> 


Betse}^    Kilburn,    widow  Howe,   died    Dec.   26,   1880, 

^t.  86  years,  8  months,  27  days. 
Cyrus   Kill)nni,    born   1800,   died   Nov.   29,   1882,   .^t.   82 

years,  1  month,  11  days. 
Air.  Daniel  W.  Kilburn,  died  Aug.  22,  1834,  Alt.  27. 
Mr.  David  Kilburn,  who  died  Aug.  1,  1856,  JEt.  90  years. 

Beyond  this  vale  of  tears 

There  is  a  life  above, 
Unmeasured  l)y  the  flijii;ht  of  years, 
And  all  that  life  is  love. 
Mrs.   Elizabeth    Kilburn,   wife  of  Jonathan    Kilburn,   died 

Aug.  25th,  1810,  .Kt.  73. 
Mr.    Jonathan     Kilburn,     died     Aug.    17,    1806,    aged    69 

years. 
Jonathan   Kilburn,   son   of  David    Kilburn   of   Lunenburg, 
born  March  13,  1797,  died  in  Shirley,  Aug.  5th,  1881, 
married  in    1824,   Sarah    Longlc}-,   daughter  of  Jonas 
Longle3\     She  died  April  1,  1858. 
Mrs.  Lucy,  wife  of  Mr.  David  Kilburn,  died  Dec.  29,  A.  D. 

1831,  aged  63  years. 
Milton  Kilburn,  died  June  2,  1857,  .'Et.  53. 
Sarah  Dresser,  wafe  of  David  Kilburn,  died  P'^eb.  18,  1875, 

^t.  92  3^ears,  9  months. 
Mr.  vSolon  Kilburn,  died  July  10,  1816,  aged  21  years. 
This  world  a  scene  of  woes  ordained  by  fate, 
A  stormj'  passage  to  a  better  state; 
Nor  need  we  fear  the  billows  will  overwhelm 
While  our  alniijihty  pilot  sits  at  helm. 

William  Kilburn,  born  March  9,  1744,  died  Aug.  14,  1832. 
Marcey,  his  wife,  born  Feb.  27,  1748,  died  Jan.  14,1824. 
Also  in  memory  oi"  their  children,  Jeremiah,  died  Dec. 
15,  1794,  Alt.  19  years.  Eunice,  died  Dec.  8,  1794, 
JEt.  11  years.  This  tablet  is  erected  as  a  token  of 
filial  affection  by  their  only  surviving  child,  Nov.,  1874. 
The  bodies  are  buried  in  this  cemetery.  The  exact 
spot  is  not  known. 


252  Lunenburg  South  Burial  Ground. 


KIMBALL. 
Airs.    Elizabeth   Kiiiiljall,   relic    of  ThomavS    Kimball,   who 

departed    this    life    Oct.    1,   A.   D.   1765,    in    the    77th 

year  of  her  age. 
Elvira   E.  Kiniljall,  wife  of  I*.  S.  Kimball,  oldest  daughter 

of  Enoch   Brown,   born   Feb.    10,    1806,   died   Nov.  13, 

1879. 
P.   S.    Kimball,    born    in    Fitchburg,    died    Nov.    1,    1875, 

.^t.  78. 
Here  lies   buried   the  l)odY   of  Mr.  Thomas  Kimball,  Esq., 

who  departed  this  life  Sept.  11,  1748,  in  the  61st  year 

of  his  age. 

LANE. 
Eleazer  Lane,  died  March  16,  1826,  yEt.  66. 

A  soldier  of  the  Revolution. 

Henrietta,  widow  of  Eleazer  Lane,  died  May  1,  1844,  .^t. 

72. 
Henrietta    Lane,    died     May    5,    1879,    .^t.    69    years,    9 

months,  20  days. 
John  Lane,  died  July  30,  1856,  Mt.  69. 
Louisa  Lane,  died  March  5,  1865,  .Et.  70. 
Capt.   Luther    Lane,   born    Dec.   15,    1798,   died    May    22, 

1842. 
Mary  Lane,  wife  of  John   Lane,   died  June  23,  1821,  JEt. 

24. 
Ruth   Lane,   wife  of  John   Lane,   died   Oct.    15,   1857,   ^t. 

70. 
Susan   Lane,  widow  of  Luther  Lane,  died   28   Sept.   1879, 

Alt.  84  years,  4  months.     (She  was  a  Goodrich.) 
Thomas  T.  Lane,  died  June  1,  1834,  .-Et.  32. 

LAWRENCE. 
Sumner  Law^rence,  died  in  Boston,  Feb.  24,  1852,  JE\.  51. 

'  Clay  to  clay,  and  dust  to  dust, 

Lit  tluMii  niin.iile,  for  tlicv  must. 


Lunenburg  South  Burial  Groufid.  253 

LEROW. 
Alonzo  K.  Lerow,  son  of  Moses  and   Lucinda  Lerow,  ^t. 

22  3'ears,  10  months.     Lost  from  schooner  Lively',  near 

the  Bermuda  Isles,  Oct.  v),  1852. 
Mrs.  Lucinda  Lerow,  wife  of  Moses  Lerow,  died   Dec.  12, 

1836,  ^t,  30.     Also  two  children,  daughters,  1  month, 

3  days,  and  4  3'ears. 

LINCOLN. 
Elizabeth    Lincoln,   daughter    of   Mr.    Hosea    Lincoln   and 

Sarah,  his  wife,  died  Jan.  9,  1824,  aged  17  3^ears. 
Hosea  Lincoln,  died  Nov.  29,  1864,  .^t.  89. 
Mr.  Jeremiah  Lincoln,  died  Nov.  26th,  1803,  aged  70. 
Martha  Lincoln,  died  Sept.  21,  1845,  JEt.  29. 
Mrs.   Sarah  Lincoln,   wife  of   Mr.  Jeremiah    Lincoln,   died 

Sept.  23,  1812,  .-Et.  71  years. 
Sarah,  wife  of  Hosea  Lincoln,  died  May  26,  1852,  JEt.  72. 

LITCH. 
Mrs.  Jerusha   Litch,  wife  to   Capt.  John   Litch,   died   Aug. 

10,  1823,  JEt.  49. 
Mr.  John  Litch,  died  April  11,  1817,  JEt.  65. 
Capt.  John  Litch,  died  May  14,  1836,  JEt.  62. 
Mrs.  Martha  Litch,  wife  of  Mr.  John   Litch,   died   Oct.  3, 

1812,  JEt.  58. 
Capt.  Samuel  Litch,  died  Jan.  25,  1835,  .^t.  52. 

Beloved  in  life,  lamented  in  death. 
Mrs.   Polly   Litch,   died   March   9,   1879,   .-Et.   94  years,  1 
month,  24  days.     (She  was  a  Choate.) 
Her  gentle  voice,  now  still,  sweeth'  whispers,  "'tis  God's  will." 
John  D.  Litch,  died  July  29,  1840,  JEt.  24. 

Gone  to  his  rest. 

Here  lies  the  body  of  Mr.  James  Litch,  who  departed  this 

life  June  the  8th,  A.  D.  1744,  in  the  64th  3'ear  of  his  age. 

From  death's  accounts  no  age  is  free. 

Miss   Polly   Litch,  who  died  Jan.  30th,  1812,  in  ilic   27th 

year  of  her  age. 


254  Lunenburg  SontJi  Bnrial  Ground. 

LOW. 

Mr.  Asa  Low,  died  Oct.  4th,  1814,  vEt.  60. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth   Low,  wife  of  Mr.  Samuel   Low,  died   Ma^- 

15,  1822,  aged  84. 
In  memory  of  Francis   Low,  son  of  Tvicut.  Jonathan   Low 

and  Sarah   Low,  who  departed   this  life  Aug.  1,  1773, 

in  3'''  19th  ^-ear  of  his  age. 
Mr.  Samuel  Low,  died  Sept.  12,  1812,  aged  68. 

LOWE. 

Sacred   to  the  memory   of  Mr.   Bcnoni   Lowe,  who  died  4 
August.  1807,  in  the  75th  year  of  his  age. 
There  is  another  and  better  world. 
Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord. 
Sacred   to  the  memory   of  Mrs.   Eunice   Lowe,   consort   of 
Dea.    William    Lowe,    who    departed    this    life  in  tran- 
quility and   the  hope  of  a  better,  Sept.  15th,  1807,  in 
the  55th  year  of  her  age. 

This  stone  but  shows  another  name, 
Who  dearest  memor3^  e'er  will  claim ; 
The  filial  and  tear  of  love, 
While  worth  and  virtue  we  approve, 

Tell  them  though  'tis  an  awful  thing  to  die, 
'Twas  even  to  thee,  though  dreary,  once  trod ; 

Heaven  lifts  its  overhanging  portal  high, 
And  bids  the  pure  in  heart  behold  their  God. 
Erected  in  memory  of  Francis  Lowe,  son  of  Dea.  William, 

who  died  Aug.  3,  1807,  in  the  30th  year  of  his  age. 
Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Joseph   D.  Lowe,  wlio  died  July 
10th,  1807,  in  the  22d  year  of  his  age. 
If  modesty  with  cool  reflection  crowned, 
In  every  opening  virtue  blooming  round. 

Could  save  a  parent's  justest  pride  from  ftite, 
This  weeping  marlile  had  not  asked  thy  tear, 
Or  sadly  told  how  many  hopes  lie  here. 

Here  is  deposited  what  was  mortal  of  Dea.  William  Lowe, 
who  died  Aug.  11,  1807,  in  the  57th  year  of  his  age. 


Lunenburg  South  Burial  Ground.  256 

A  mild,  humane  and  honest  man,  a  peaceable  and  regular  citi- 
zen, an  affectionate  and  tender  husband  and  parent,  an  exemplary 
and  beloved  officer  of  the  church.  A  devout  and  humble  Christian, 
his  heart  was  ambitious,  his. life  tranfjuil  and  happy.  The  destroy- 
ing angel  entered  his  family.  The  husband,  the  wife,  and  most  of 
its  members  fell  in  cpiick  succession.  He  loved  and  cherished  them 
in  life,  in  death  was  not  divided. 
Sacred  to  the  memory  of  William  Lowe,  Jr.,  son  of  Dea. 
William  and  Mrs.  Eunice  Lowe,  who  died  7  Oct.,  1807, 
in  the  28th  year  of  his  age. 

MARSH. 

Samuel  Marsh,  died  Aug.  20,  1847,  .42t.  84. 

Sarah,  wife  of  Samuel  Marsh,  died  June  7,  1844,  .^t.  78. 

MARSHALL. 
Eunice,  wife  of  William  Marshall,  died  Sept.  2,  1847,  .Et. 

43.     (Was  not  near  relation  to  others  in  town.) 
Micah  Marshall,  died  Nov.  3,  1863,  .^t.  72. 

'Tis  over  now,  the  strife  is  over, 
How  still  that  aching  breast. 
How  calm  and  beautiful  he  sleeps, 
Rest,  weary  pilgrim,  rest. 
Patt}^  Ames,   wife  of  Micah   Marshall,   died  July  3,  1863. 

Mt.  69. 

Why  should  we  weep,  why  shed  a  tear, 

That  all  her  toils  are  o'er; 

Her  spirit  rests  where  angels  dwell. 

Where  death  is  known  no  more. 

MARTIN. 
Mr.  George  Martin,  died   Nov.  20th,  1779,  aged  58  years. 
Eliza  P.  Gibson,  wife  of  George  E.  Martin,  died   at  Troy, 
N.  Y.,  April  7,  1853,  .^t.  33  years,  8  months,  23  days. 
I  would  not  live  alwaj'. 

No — welcome  the  tomb ; 
Since  Jesus  laid  there, 
I  dread  not  its  gloom ; 


256  Lunenburg  South  Burial  Ground. 

There  sweet  bo  my  rest, 

Till  he  bid  nie  arise, 
To  hail  him  in  triumph, 
Descending  the  skies. 
Mrs.  Eunice  Martin,  relic  of  Mr.  Georj^e  Martin,  died  Dec, 
2,  1818,  .4-:t.  98. 

MITCHELL. 

Here  lies  the  body  of  Mr.  Andrew  Mitchell,  who  departed 

this  life  July  9th,  1757,  in  y'^  63d  year  of  his  age. 
Mrs.   Dorcas   Mitchell,  wife  of  Andrew   Mitchell,  died  June 

22,  1774,  .Et.  28. 
\\\   niemor\'    of  Mrs.    Martha    Mitchell,    widow    of  Andrew 

Mitchell,    who   departed    this   life  July  y^   16,    1782,   in 

the  85th  year  of  her  age. 

Our  life  is  ever  on  the  wing, 

And  death  is  ever  nigh ; 
Ye  living  men,  come,  view  the  ground 
Where  3'ou  must  shortly  lie. 
Moses  Mitchell,  died  Dec.  1779,  aged  82. 

OLIVER. 
Rachel  Oliver,  died  May  10,  1880,  JEt.  77. 
Russell  Oliver,  died  Dec.  5,  1882,  JEt.  68  years,  11  months, 
9  days. 

OLIVERS. 
Charlotte   A.  Olivers,  died    May   3,  1874,  Mt.  27  years,  2 

months,  11  days. 
Susan  Olivers,  died  Oct.  28,  1874,  JEt.  92  years,  10  months, 

4  days. 

PAGE. 

Mrs.  Emily  \.  Page,  died  xMay  8,  1880,  Ait.  40  years,  7 
months,  17  days. 

Here  lies  buried  3'''  body  of  Mr.  Samuel  Page.  He  was  y*^ 
first  that  settled  in  this  town,  who  departed  this  life 
Sept.  y*^  7th,  A.  I).  1747,  in  y*^  76  year  of  his  age. 


Litiicnbnrg  South  Burial  Ground.  257 

PARCE. 
Mr.    Benjamin    Parce,    son    of   Lieut.  Jonathan    Parte   and 

Sarah,  his  wife,  who  died  Aug.  12th,  1774,  in  the  Ivlth 

year  of  his  age. 
Dea.  Ephraim  Paree,  who  departed   this  hfe  Oet.  4-,  1781, 

aged  82. 

The  shortest  and  the  l)est  prayer  is  this:    "God's  will  1)0  done." 

Airs.  Esther  Paree,  wife  of  Dea.  Ephraim  Paree,  who  died 

June  28th,  1768,  aged  65  years. 
Mr.  Jonathan    Paree,   died    Nov.   4th,    1794,   in    tlie    70th 

3'ear  of  his  age. 

PARSONS. 
Mrs.   Lydia   Parsons,  wife   of  Mr.   Bartholomew    Parsons, 
died  July  14th,  1786,  JEt.  74  years. 

PAYSON. 

Ouieseunt  sub  hoe  tumulo  rehquiie  Rev.  Samuelis  Payson, 
{|ui  Ecelesiie  Lunenburgensis  pastor  doetus  fidelis  pr^e- 
stanti  vir  ingenio  morumque  gestu  amabili  virtutis 
potius  quam  dierum  plenus.  Atrophiae  morbo  oeeubuit 
Id.  Feb.  An.  Salut.  MDCCLXIII.  ^t.  XXIV. 

.\  father  erects  this  monument  to  the  memory  of  a  l)eloved  son. 

PEABODY. 
Mrs.  Ruth    Peabody,   wdfe  of  Mr.   Thomas   Peabody,  who 

departed  this  life  June  15th,  1765,  aged  52  years. 
Mr.  Thomas  Peabody,  who  departed   this  hfe  April   11th, 

1778,  in  the  62d  year  of  his  age. 

PERKINS. 
Mrs.  Doreas,  wife  of  Jonathan   Perkins,  died  Se])t.  4,  1824, 

.^t.  60. 
Enoch  Perkins,  son  of  Jcmathan  Perkins,  of  Harvard,  died 

in  Boston  hospital,  A-A.  88  years,  3  months. 
Esther,  wife   of  Jonathan    Perkins,  died    Dee.   1,  1S42.  .VA. 

53  years,  8  months. 
Mr.  Jonathan  Perkins,  died  April  14,  1832,  A-A.  67. 


258  Luneiiburg  South  Burial  Ground. 

PERRIN. 

In  niemor}^   of   Mr.   Charles    Perrin,   who    died   June    8th, 
1803,  aged  57. 

PICKENS. 

Leonard    Pickens,   died   June    5,   1874,   JEt.   31.     (Wilton, 

N.  H.) 

PIERCE. 

Miss  Abigail,  daughter  of  Mr.  Benjamin  and  Mrs.  Abigail 

Pierce,  died  Sept.  25,  1831,  .4^t.  25  years. 
Abigail,  wife  of  Benjamin    Pierce,  died   Dec.  13,  1865,  /Et. 

87  years,  5  months. 
Lieut.  Abraham  Pierce,  died  Jan.  31,  1834,  Mt.  68. 
Mr.  Amos  Pierce,  died  Aug.  1,  1821,  Mt.  46. 
Mrs.   Anna,   wife   of   Mr.   Abraham   Pierce,   died    Nov.   16, 

1839,  ^t.  73. 
Benjamin  Pierce,  died  Jan.  2,  1846,  Mt.  70. 
Mr.  Ephraim  Pierce,  Jr.,  who  died  24  January,  1801. 
Death,  thou  hast  conquered  me, 

I  by  th}'  dart  am  slain, 
But  Christ  has  conquered  thee, 
And  I  shall  rise  again. 
,  Mrs.    Esther,    wife    of  Air.   John    Pierce,   died    March    10, 

1830,  JEt.  48. 
John  Pierce,  died  Nov.  12,  1867,  ^t.  80. 
Life's  labor  over,  my  duty's  done, 

I  leave  all  trials  here  below, 
And  seek  for  joys  above  the  sun, 
In  the  bright  w^orld  to  which  I  go. 
Mr.  Jonathan  G.  Pierce,  died  vSept.  26,  1834,  .Et.  28. 
Martha  A.,  daughter  of  John  and   Sarah   Pierce,  died  July 
20,  1863,  ^t.  31  years,  8  months. 

We  ne'er  again  shall  see  thy  face. 

Or  hear  thy  pleasant  voice. 
Dear  sister,  none  can  fill  thy  place, 
Or  make  our  hearts  rejoice. 


Lunenburg  South  Burial  Ground.  269 

Mrs.  Mary  Pierce,  relic  of  Mr.  Oliver  Pierce,  died  June  26, 

1822,  .^t.  78. 
Mrs.  Mary,  wife   of  Maj.  Abraham    Pierce,  who  died   Dec. 

20,  1845,  JEt.  46. 
Nancy,  wife  of  Josiah  Pierce,  died   Feb.  13,  1857,  ^t.  54. 
Mrs.    Olive    Pierce,   widow    of    Mr.    Ephraini    Pierce,   who 

died  Sept.  7,  1812,  Mt.  11. 

That  sovereign  God  who  set  \n\  l)ounds 

Saw  fit  to  take  my  l)reath; 
Be  ye  ready  each  hour  you  Hve, 
To  meet  an  instant  death. 
Mr.  Oliver  Pierce,  died  March  6,  1815,  aged  74. 
Mrs.   Sarah   Pierce,  widow  of  Jonathan   Pierce,    who  died 
8th  February,  1805,  aged  76  years. 
Here  lies  intombed 
A  parent  kind,  a  neighlior  good. 
The  poor  man's  friend. 
Whom  death  has  l)rought  unto  her  end. 
Sarah,  wife   of  John    Pierce,   formerly   the   wife   of  William 
Smith,  died  June  15,  1860,  .'Et.  66. 
Fell  asleep ;   she  only  sleeps ; 
The  kind  and  good  shall  never  die. 
Sarah  A.,  wife  of  Josiah  Pierce,  Jr.,  died   March  22,  1854, 
y33t.  23  years.     A   son,  Georgie,  died   March   16,  1858, 
JEt.  4  years,  1  month. 

PRATT. 

In  memory  of  Mrs.  Alary  Pratt,  widow  of  Mr.  Jarcd 
Pratt.  She  died  March  21,  1781,  in  Ihc  33(1  year  (;f 
her   age. 

PRENTICE. 

The  remains  of  Mrs.  Abigail  Prentice,  y'^^  virtuous  consort 
of  Thomas  Prentice,  Esqr.,  are  here  interred.  She  was 
3^'-'  daughter  of  Josiah  Wilhird  Estjr.,  and  was  an 
agreeable  companion.  An  exemplary  Christian,  who 
died  on  y^"  9th  of  November,  1750,  in  y^'  33d  year. 

Greatly  lamented. 


2G0  Lunenburg  South  Burial  Ground. 

PRIEvST. 

Mr.  John  Priest,  died  April  12,  1830,  7Et.  69. 
Kel)ecca,  wile  of  Mr.  John  Priest,  died  June  30,  1814,  JEt. 
49. 

PROCTOR. 

Ardeha  Melora,  daughter  of  Jaeob   and    Luerctia   Proetor, 

died  Oet.  31,  1834,  JEt.  16. 
Elizaljeth  Goodrieh,  wife  of  Edmund  Proctor,  died   Dee.  7, 

1872,  JEt.  74  years,  8  months.    Three  children,  Joseph, 

Franeis  A.,  and  Amanda  M. 
Lucretia  Tufts,  wife  of  Jaeob  Proetor,  died  April  15,  1873, 

JEt.  83  years,  1  month,  6  days. 
Mr.  Oliver  Proctor,  died  Nov.  3,  1792. 

RAMSDELL. 
Mrs.  L3^dia,  wafe   of  the  late  Scth   Ramsdell,  died   Nov.  2, 
1851,  JEt.  87. 

Into  thy  hands,  my  Savior  God, 

I  did  my  soul  resign, 
In  firm  dependence  on  that  truth 

Which  made  salvation  mine. 
Seth  Ramsdell,  died  Nov.  12,  1841,  aged  75. 
Earth  is  the  gate  to  endless  joj-, 

To  those  who  feel  their  sins  forgiven; 
They  leave  the  cares  Jind  pains  ol"  life 

For  perfect  bliss  in  heaven. 

REED. 

Mrs.  Mary  Reed,  wife  of  Lieut.  Samuel  Reed,  who  died 
1   Oct.  1791,  ^t.  71. 

When  Christ  communicates  his  word, 

And  Ijids  the  world  appear. 
Thrones  are  prepared  for  his  friends 

That  humbly  loved  him  here. 

Memento  Mori.  Here  lies  the  body  of  Lieut.  S^imuel  Reed, 
who  departed  this  life  July  the  7th,  1771,  in  the  62d 
year  of  his  age. 


Lunenbufor  Soiitli  Burial  Ground.  261 


'  &> 


RITTER. 

Anne,  wife  of  Thomas  Ritter,  died  Nov.  22,  1850,  J^t.  69. 
Here  lies  the  l)ody  of  Daniel  Ritter,  who  departed  this  life 

Jan.  23,  1743,  in  the  52d  3'ear  of  his  age. 
Mr.  David  Ritter,  Jr.,  son  of  Lieut.  David  Ritter  and  Abi- 
gail,  his   wife,   died    Jan.   28,   1794-,   aged    11   years,   2 
months,  8  da3's. 
Mrs.    Mary   Ritter,   wife  of  Moses   Ritter,   who  died  Deer. 
15th,  1785,  in  the  39th  year  of  her  age. 
Death  is  a  debt  to  nature  due, 
.\s  I  have  paid  it,  so  must  you. 
Here    lies    the  body   of  Mr.    Moses    Ritter,    who    departed 
this  Hfe  Dec.  25th,  A.  D.  1762,  aged  47  years,  7  months. 
Mo.ses  Ritter,  who  died  April  20,  1810,  .4it.  68. 
Miss    Priscella,   dautr.   of    Mr.   Thomas  and   Anne    Ritter, 

died  Oct.  31,  1820,  aged  17  years. 
In   memor\'    of   Mr.   Thomas    Ritter,    who    died    Sept.   20, 
1820,  .^t.  41. 

A  partner  dear,  a  parent  kind. 
Is  gone  and  left  his  friends  behind, 
He's  gone,  we  hope,  to  endless  bliss, 
To  live  and  reign  where  Jesus  is. 
Thomas  Sullivan  Ritter,  son  of  Thomas  and   Anne   Ritter, 
who  died  Sept.  22,  1814,  aged  4  years,  8  months. 
How  oft  the  blossom  of  man 

Is  blighted  by  the  frost; 
The  little  shoot  must  then  decay, 
And  all  the  fruit  be  lost. 

ROBINSON. 

Majr.  John   Robinson,  who  departed   this  life,  August  the 
14th,  1768,  in  the  62d  year  of  his  age. 

SAMPSON. 

Mrs.  Mary  H.  Sampson,  wife  of  Mr.  John   Sampson,  died 
Dec.  14,  1825,  aged  52. 

18 


262  LiiHenburz  South  Burial  Ground. 


'  ^ 


SAWYER. 
Here    lievS    the    body    of    Airs.    Beatrix   Sawyer,   y*^   wife   of 
Capt.  Elias  Sawyer  of  Bolton,  who  died  April   the  21, 
1772,  in  the  87th  year  of  her  age. 

She  was  esteemed  a  virtuous  wife,  a  tender  mother,  a  faithful 
friend,  a  sincere  Christian. 

SCOTT. 

Erected  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  Henr3^  Scott,  son  of  Mr. 
William  Scott,  who  departed  this  life  4th  Sept.,  A.  D. 
1799,  aged  36  years. 

Depressed  by  years  of  sickness  and  debilitating  pain,  the  bright- 
est faculties  of  his  soul  were  not  obscured.  His  heart  was  a  mine 
of  commiseration  to  the  children  of  affliction,  the  recital  of  whose 
woes  induced  the  attention  of  and  commanded  his  assistance,  whilst 
his  honor  and  truth,  a  paternal  inheritance,  he  left  unblemished 
when  he  descended  to  this  mansion  of  repose. 

My  Henry !  Thy  widow,  a  foreigner,  separated  from  every  rela- 
tive by  the  Atlantic,  humbly  submitting  to  the  rod  of  heaven  that 
chastens  whom  it  loves,  deeply  mourning  in  one  sad  hour  a  hus- 
band, father,  sister  dead,  inscribes  thine  early  tomb. 
Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Mr,  William  Scott,  a  native  of 
the  north  of  Ireland,  who  departed  this  life  the  12th 
day  of  March,  1795,  aged  75  years,  30  of  which  he 
spent  in  Boston.  A  well-known  and  highly  respected 
merchant,  at  advanced  age  he  retired  to  Lunenburg  to 
spend  in  meditation  the  eve  of  a  useful  life,  where  he 
remained  one  year  and  resigned  his  soul  to  God  who 
gave  it. 

Sensibilitj'  and  universal  benevolence,  accompanied  by  a  mind 
refined  and  expanded  by  a  liberal  education,  and  deeply  impressed 
with  love  and  gratitude  towards  his  Creator,  were  his  peculiar 
characteristics.  During  a  long  intercourse  with  the  world,  he  assid- 
uously added  to  his  mental  improvements,  was  happy  to  communi- 
cate his  knowledge  and  assistance  to  the  friendless,  and  often  suc- 
ceeded in  alleviating  misery. 

This  monument  is  erected  b^-  an  (jnly  son,  in  remembrance  of  a 
beloved  parent. 


Lunenburg  South  Burial  Ground.  263 


SHEPLEY. 

George  G.  Sheple3%  only  son  of  John  and  Abigail  Shepley, 
died  Oct.  2,  1823,  JE\..  4  years. 

SMITH. 

Asa  Smith,  died  Feb.  2,  1856,  J^\.  47. 

Cyntha,   wife  of  Joseph   Smith,   died   Aug.   20,   1839,   .Et. 

47  years. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Smith,  y^'  wife  of  Robert  Smith,  died  1757, 

in  the  74th  year  of  her  age. 
George  Smith,  died  Nov.  28,  1874,  Mt.  47  years,  3  months, 

2  days. 
Mr.  Jonathan  Smith,  died  Dec.  2,  1829,  ^t.  65  years. 

Joseph  Smith,  died  Feb.  18,  1851,  /Et.  66. 

Martha  Ann,  daughter  of  Joseph  and   Cyntha   Smith,  died 

Feb.  4,  1845,  ^t.  16. 
Rhoda,  wife   of  Jonathan   Smith,   died   Sept.  1,  1861,   J^t. 

86. 
Sarah,   daughter  of  J.  and   C.  Smith,   died   Dec.  15,  1842, 

vEt.  18  years;   also  4  other  children. 

Mr.  WilHam  Smith,  died  May  29,  1827,  ^t.  38. 

SPOFFORD. 
Mrs.   Sarah,    the   wife   of   Mr.  Joseph    Spoffbrd,    who   died 
March  the  25,  1754,  in  the  40th  year  of  her  age. 

STEARNS. 

This  monument,  erected  by  the  town  of  Lunenl)urg,  is 
sacred  to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  David  Stearns,  their 
much  beloved  and  respected  pastor,  who  departed  this 
life  in  the  joyful  expectation  of  a  better,  on  the  9th 
day  of  March,  A.  D.  1761,  and  in  the  52nd  year  of 
his  age. 

Ill  his  private  cajKicity  he  was  a  kind  husband,  a  tender  parent, 
an  affectionate  brother  and  a  faithful  friend.  In  his  ministerial 
character  his  conversation   was  pure,   entertaining  and   instructive, 


264:  Lniienburg  South  Burial  Ground. 

his  doctrines  plain  and  Scriptural,  and  his  life  truly  exemplar^-. 
He  was  adorned  with  hospitality,  with  singular  prudence,  and  a 
most  endearing  benevolence,  with  a  good  knowledge  of  men  and 
things,  with  a  fervent  zeal  for  the  glory  of  Christ  and  the  salva- 
tion of  souls,  and  was  governed  by  the  united  influence  of  these 
accomplishments. 

Help,  Lord,  for  the  godly  man  ceaseth. 

Underneath  these  clods  are  deposited  y^  remains  of  Mr. 
David  Stearns,  the  oldest  son  of  y*=  late  Rev.  David 
Stearns  of  blessed  memory.  His  capacity  and  educa- 
tion were  such  as  laid  a  foundation  for  his  future  use- 
fulness and  cherished  in  y^  hearts  of  friends  a  pleasing 
expectation  thereof.  But  alas !  heaven  [?]  their  hopes, 
for  falling  into  weakness  of  body  and  his  disorder  in. 
creavsing,  he  died  July  14,  1773,  in  y^  30th  year  of  his 
age,  leaving  a  sorrowful  widow  with  three  children 
•  to  deplore  his  death. 

Man's  great  and  most  exalted  hopes 

When  he  lies  here  will  end ; 
Earth  to  earth,  and  dust  to  dust. 
Concludes  earth,  dearest  friend. 
Mar3'  Stearns,  the  daur.  of  Mr.  David  and  Mary  Stearns, 
who  died  April  y*'  5th,  1776,  in  the  8th  year  of  her  age. 
Fresh  in  the  morn,  the  blooming  rose 
Hangs  withered  ere  'tis  noon; 
We  scarce  enjoy  the  balm^-  sweets. 
But  mourn  the  pleasure  gone. 
Thomas    Stearns,   son   of  Rev.   David   and    Ruth    Stearns, 
who  died  May  28th,  1766,  in  the  11th  year  of  his  age. 

STEWARD. 

Mrs.  Martha  Steward,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Solomon  Steward, 

who   died   Nov.  y*^  6th,  1777,  in   the   77th  year  of  her 

age. 

She  was  a  virtuous  wife,  a  kind  neighbor,  and  a  tender  parent. 
Mrs.    Rebcckah   Steward,    wife  of  Mr.   Benjamin  Steward, 

who  died  Nov.  9,  1797,  in  the  69th  year  of  her  age. 


Lunenburg  South  Burial  Ground.  2C5 

Here  lies  buried  the  body  of  Mr.  Solomon  Steward,  who 
departed  this  life  Feb.  28th,  A.  D.  1758,  in  the  61st 
year  of  his  age. 

STILES. 
Sally  Stiles,  died  July  24-,  1879,  ^t.  86  years,  4  months, 
18  days. 

TARBELL. 
Eliza,   wife  of  Solomon   Tarbell,  died   Sept.  27,  1864,  ^t. 
61  years. 

Above  the  reach  of  hope  or  fear, 
She  rose  all  passionless  and  pure. 
Granville  E.   Tarbell,   son   of  Solomon   and   Eliza  Tarbell, 
died  July  20,  1855,  ^t.  14  years,  17  days. 
We  linger,  we  turn  away, 

We  cling  while  we  depart, 
And  memories,  unmarked  till  then, 

Come  crowding  on  the  heart ; 
Let  what  will  lure  our  onward  way, 
Farewell,  a  better  word  to  say. 
Solomon   Tarbell,   died   March   17,  1856,  aged   93;   Mary, 
his  wife,  died  June  7,  1852,  aged  92.  » 

TAYLOR. 

Here  lies  buried  the  body  of  Mrs.  Anna  Tajdor,  the  thii'd 
consort  of  Dr.  John  Taylor,  who  departed  this  life 
Feby.  5th,  1774,  ^Etatis  35  3'ears,  wanting  9  days. 

Here  lies  buried  the  bod^'  of  John  Taylor,  Jr.,  son  of  Dr. 
John  Taylor  and  Mary  his  first  wife,  who  departed 
this  life  April  14th,  1773,  in  the  12th  year  of  his  age. 

Here  lies  buried  the  body  of  Mrs.  Rebecca  Taylor,  consort 
of  Doctor  John  Taylor,  who  departed  this  life  March 
y^  3d,  A.  D.  1772,  in  the  37th  year  of  her  age. 

TURNER. 
Ruth    Turner,    died    March    26,    1859,    yEt.    80    years,    8 
months. 


266  Liiuenhurg  SoutJi  Burial  Ground. 

TYLER. 

Mrs.  Lefe  Tyler,  wife  of  Nathan   Tyler,  who  died    Feb.  6, 

1814,  in  the  47th  year  of  her  age. 
Nathan  Tyler,  died  Aug.  31,  1825,  aged  58. 
Sarah    Tyler,   wife  of   Nathan    Tyler,   died   May   2,   1848, 

aged  86  j^ears. 

WARREN. 

Nancy,  wife  of  Ephraim  Warren,  died  Dec.  25,  1837, 
aged  43. 

WETHERBEE. 

Mrs.   Betsey   Wetherbee,   died   28  Oct.,  1S07,   in   the  25th 

3^ear  of  her  age. 
Mr.  David  Wetherbee,  died  Jan.  18,  1842,  aged  85. 
David  Wetherbee,  Jr.,  son  of  David  and  Eunice  Wetherbee, 

died  Dec.  11th,  1799,  in  the  15th  year  of  his  age. 
Mrs.  Eunice,  wife  of  David  Wetherbee,  died  Feb.  18,  1842, 

y©t.  84. 
James    Wetherbee,   son   of   David    and    Eunice    Wetherbee, 

died  Nov.  11,  1822,  aged  20. 

The  bugles  ceased  their  mournful  sound 
As  he  was  lowered  in  the  ground ; 
The  parents  stood  and  wept  awhile, 
Then  left  their  dear,  beloved  child. 
Mary,   dautr.   of  David   and   Eunice   Wetherliee,   died  Jan. 
22,  1872,  JEt.  84  years,  27  days. 

I  have  finished  the  work  thou  gavest  me  to  do. 

WHITE. 

Here  lies  y^  body  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  White,  the  wife  of 
Mr.  John  White,  who  was  born  in  Makery,  in  y'^  coun- 
tie  of  Monechen,  in  Ireland,  departed  this  life  March 
y*^  13th,  1753,  in  y^  66th  year  of  her  age. 

Here  lies  body  of  Mr.  John  White,  was  born  in  y^  city  of 
Glasgow,  in  Scotland,  March  y*^  17,  A.D.  1672,  re- 
moved from  Scotland   to  Ireland   A.D.  1723,  departed 


Lunenburg  South  Burial  Ground.  267 

this  life  April   27,  A.  D.  1739,  in  y^  68th  year  of  his 
age. 

WHITING. 

Mr.  Asa  Whiting,  died  April  13,  1836,  JEt.  81. 

Asa  Whiting,  son  of  Asa  and  Betsey  Whiting,  died  July  8, 

1882,  Mt.  84  years,  8  months,  24  days. 
Betsey,  wife  of  Asa  Whiting,  died  Nov.  9,  1851,  JEt.  92. 
Elijah,  son  of  Asa  and  Betsey  Whiting,  died  Jan.  6,  1845, 

^t.  52  years. 
Esek    Whiting,  born    Feb.   10,   1769,   died   Oct.   22,   1862, 

JEt.  92. 
Dear  as  thou  art,  and  justly  dear,  we  would  not  weep  for  thee,  dear  father. 
Mrs.   Lydia,   wife  of  Esek   Whiting,   born   July   24,   1771, 

died  Jan.  26,  1852,  Mt.  80. 

Asleep  in  Jesus !    Blessed  sleep, 
From  which  none  ever  wake  to  weep. 
Miss  Sally  G.  Whiting,  born  Dec.  4,  1798,  died  March  3d, 

1872,  aged  73  years,  2  months,  29  days. 
Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord. 

WHITNEY. 

Albert  Whitney,  died  Feb.  26,  1864,  ^t.  50y2  years. 
How  many  weary  days  on  earth 

His  fainting  spirit  numbers  o'er; 
Now  it  enjoys  a  heavenly  birth, 

It  is  not  lost,  but  gone  before. 

WILLARD. 
Mr.   Aaron    Willard,   Jr.,   the  son   of   Col.   Aaron    Willard 
and    Mrs.    Mary    Willard,    who    died    Nov.    20,    1793, 
aged  22  years,  7  months. 

You,  whose  fond  wishes  do  to  heaven  aspire, 
Who  made  those  blest  abodes  your  sole  desire, 
If  you  be  wise  and  hope  that  bliss  to  gain, 
Use  well  your  time,  live  not  an  hour  in  vain ; 
Let  not  the  morrow  3'our  vain  thoughts  employ, 
But  think  this  day  the  best  you  shall  enjo3-. 


2G8  Limenhiirg  $outh  Burial  (jroiind. 

Erected  in  memory  of  Aaron  Willard,  who  departed  this 
life  Sept.  14th,  1781,  in  the  55th  year  of  his  age. 

Mr.  Joshua  Willard,  who  died  April  26,  1818,  in  the  46th 
year  of  his  age. 

Erected  by  Mr.  Caleb  Stiles. 
Mrs.    Mar}^,   wife  of   Col.   Aaron    Willard,   who  died   Oct. 
17,  1812,  in  the  72d  year  of  her  age. 
Erected  by  Caleb  Stiles. 

WILLIAMS. 

Lieut.  Jonathan  WiUiams,  died  Feb.  18th,  1794,  ^t.  49 
years. 

WINNING. 

Alexander  Winning,  died  Feb.  15,  1849,  ^t.  38. 

WOOD. 

Capt.  Jonathan  Wood,  died  April  1st,  A.  D.  1779,  in  the 
70th  year  of  his  age. 

The  wise,  the  just,  the  pious  and  the  brave, 
Live  in  their  death,  flourish  in  their  graves. 
And  evening  suns  but  rise  to  set  more  fair. 
Mr.  Joseph  Wood,  died  June  1st,  1808,  aged  82. 
Mrs.  Ruth  Wood,  died  25  Feb.,  1797,  Mt.  70  years. 
Here  lies  buried  the  body  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Wood,  who  died 
Sept.  ye  22,  1756,  in  y^  40th  year  of  her  age. 

YORK. 
In   memory   of  Abbie  E.,  wife   of  Asahel  A.  York,   died  in 
Boston   March  17,  1865,  .^t.  38  years,  11   months,  4 
days. 

YOUNG. 
Sarah,  wife  of  John   Young  and  dautr.  of  David   and  Eu- 
nice Wetherbee,  died  Dec.  21,  1849,  Mt.  59. 


Lnnenbjirs:  North  Burial  Ground.  260 


INSCRIPTIONS  FROM   NORTH   BURIAL  GROUND, 
LUNENBURG,    MASS. 


ABERCROMBIE. 
Doretha    Lovina,   wife   of  Otis    Abercrombie,   died  Dec.   4, 

1886,  aged  79. 
Otis  Abercrombie,  M.  D.,  died  Jan.  24,  1851,  JEt.  48. 

ADAMS. 

Abel  Adams,  died  June  3,  1874,  JEt.  79. 
Benjamin   F.  Adams,   died  July  3,  1858,   ^t,   21   years,  9 
months,  1  day. 

In  life  happ}-,  happ}-  in  death. 

Benjamin  L.  Adams,  died  Jan.  20,  1882,  JEt.  17  years,  11 

months.     (From  Hyde  Park,  Vt.) 

Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart. 
Edward  G.  Adams,   died  Oct.  30,  1885,  aged   84  years,  7 

months,  11  days. 
In  memory   of  Mr.  Jonathan   Adams,   who  died  June   17, 

1813,  aged  88  3^ears. 
Jonathan  Adams,  died   Dec.  11,  1843,  aged  84;   Elizabeth, 

his  wife,  died  Oct.  23,  1849,  JEt.  86. 
Nancy,  wife  of  Abel   Adams,  died   April  11,  1872,  ^t.  75. 
Patty  S.,  wife  of  Edward  G.  Adams,   died   Oct.  25,   1877, 

^t.  69  3^ears,  0  months,  19  days. 
Roswell  G.   Adams,   member  of  Co.   C,   16th  Regt.    Mass. 

Vols.,   died  Jan.   24,  1863,   .Et.  22  years,   10  months, 

11  days. 

Rest,  oh  rest,  dear  son  and  brother, 

Rest,  thy  weary  march  is  o'er; 
Rest,  soldier,  thou  art  still  another 
To  swell  the  ranks  of  yonder  shore. 
Sarah  J.,  wife  of  Henry  C.  Adams,  and   daughter  of  Sam- 
uel and  Sylvia  Cook,  died  Sept.  3,  1867,  JEt.  33  years, 

5  months. 

Asleep  in  Jesus,  happy  thought. 


270  LunenbtLrg  North  Burial  Ground. 

BAILEY. 
Col.    Samuel    H.  Bailey,   born  Nov.  8,  1806,   died   Oet.  29, 
1868,   ^t.  62;   Mary   Bailey,   his  wife,   Ijorn  Nov.  12, 
1806,  died  May  9,  1862,  JEt.  55. 

BAKER. 

Charles,    son   of  Jesse    and   Sophia    Baker,   died    Aug.   29, 
1887,  ^t.  19. 

No  pains,  nor  grief,  nor  anxious  fears, 
Invade  thy  l^ounds, — no  mortal  \Yoes 
Can  reach  the  peaceful  sleeper  here 
While  angels  watch  the  soft  repose. 
Jesse  Baker,  died  Sept.  11,  1838,  JEt.  44  years,  7  months, 
20  da3's;    Sophia,   his   wife,   died  July   27,    1861,   aged 
68  3'ears,  6  months,  22  days. 
William   Baker,   born  Sept.  2,  1821,   died   Sept.  18,    1896; 
Olive  Rebecca  Boutwell,  his  wife,  l)orn  April  29,  1822, 
died  Jan.  28,  1900. 

BALDWIN. 

In  memory  of  Mrs.  Mary  R.  C,  wife  of  Henry  Baldwin, 
who  died  ]\x\y  15,  1856,  JEt.  40  years,  9  months. 

BALL. 

Varnum    Ball,    born   June    30,    1807,    died    Feb.   6,   1874; 
Nancy,  his  wife,  born  Jan.  13,  1796,  died  May  28,;i874. 

BARD. 
Aron  Bard,  M.  D.,  died  Oct.  10,  1847,  ^t.  71. 

A  successful  practitioner, 

Judicious  counsellor, 

And  faithful  friend ; 

A  hand  ever  open  to  suffering  needs, 

A  mind  deep,  expansive, 

Detesting  all  creeds. 

BARTLETT. 
David     Bartlett,    died    Oct.    21,    1878,    JEt.    70    years,    8 
months,  26  days. 


Lunenburg  North  Bnrial  Ground.  271 

BEMIS. 

Sacred   to  the  memory  of  Mrs.  Huldah  Bemis,  consort  of 
the    late    Mr,   Jonathan    Bemis    of    Watertown,    who 
departed  this  life  Dec.  26,  1802,  ^t.  80. 
The  sweet  remembrance  of  the  just 
Shall  flourish  when  the}-  sleep  in  dust. 

BICKNELL. 

In  memory  of  Abiah  Bicknell,  son  of  Mrs.  Daniel  Bicknell, 
who  died  Sept.  6th,  1802,  in  the  21st  year  of  his  age. 

BILLINGS. 
Mr.  Jonas  Billings,  died  March  26,  1828,  ^t.  60. 
Mr.  Luther  S.  Billings,  died  April  26,  1843,  JEt.  46. 
Sarah  M.  Dike,  wife  of  Alfred   Billings,  died  May  9,  1879, 

aged  27  years. 
In     memory    of    Sylvester    Billings,     died     Sept.    4,    1816, 

JE\.  22. 

BOUT  WELL. 
In  memory  of  our  father,  Sewel  Boutwell,  who  was  born 

July    5,    1784,    and    died    July    3,    1863,    and    of    our 

mother,    Rebecca    Marshall,    who    was    born    Dec.   23, 

1784,  and  died  March  4,  1863. 

BOWERS. 
Eleanor,   widow  of  Nathaniel   Bowers,  died   MaA'  3,  1868, 

Mt.  94. 

She  hath  done  what  she  could. 

BOYNTON. 

Charles   H.  Boynton,  died   Oct.  9,  1868,  Mt.  19  years,  10 
months.     A  member  of  the  U.  S.  Infantr}'. 
Farewell,  dear  friends,  a  long  farewell. 

Ill  memory  of  Miss  Eunice   Boynton,  died  Sept.  28,  1837, 
JEt.  35. 

Capt.  John  Boynton,  died  Oct.  5,  1877,  ^t.  65  years,  26 
days. 


272  Lunenburg  North  Bnrial  Ground. 

In   memory  of  Mr.  Samuel  Boynton,   died   Aug.    10,  1833, 

aged  75. 

Farewell,  dear  friends,  a  long  farewell, 

For  we  shall  meet  no  more 

Till  we  are  raised  with  thee  to  dwell, 

On  Zion's  happy  shore. 

Sarah  F.,  wife  of  John  Boynton,  died  Aug.  12,  1885,  aged 

72  years,  11  months. 
Sarah   P.,  wife  of  Stephen    Boynton,   died   Sept.  23,    1892, 

aged  91.     • 
Stephen  Boynton,  died  Sept.  26,  1841,  aged  48. 
In   memory  of  Mr.    William    Boynton,    who   died   Feb.    27, 

1815,  JEt.  53. 
In   memory   of    William   S.    Boynton,    son    of    Mr.    William 

Boynton  and  Eunice,  his  wife,  who  died  Nov.  14,  1814, 

^t.  18. 

Saints  by  the  power  of  God  are  kei:)t 

Till  the  salvation  comes ; 
We  walk  by  faith  as  strangers  here 
Till  Christ  shall  call  us  home. 

BROOKS. 
Fernando    Brooks,   died   Jan.   9,   1901,   aged   81    years,    3 

months,  20  days. 
Mary    Brooks,    died    March    15,    1875,    .^Et.    82    years,   1 

month,  10  days. 
In  memory  of  Thomas   Brooks,  Esq.,  whose  filial  respect, 

paternal     affection,    integrity    and     jihilanthropy    were 

duly  appreciated  and   gratefulh'   remembered.     He  died 

May  20,  1823,  .'F:t.  67. 

BROWN. 
Mrs.  Abigail  Brown,  relic  of  Mr.  Enoch  Brown,  died  April 
1,  1826,  JEt.  42. 

BUSS. 
Erected  in  memory  of  Capt.  Aaron  Buss,  who,  after  a  lin- 
gering   sickness,    departed    this    life    Aug.    26th,   A.   D. 
1790,  aged  39  years. 


Limenburcr  NortJi  Burial  Ground.  273 

o 

A  tender,  affectionate  husband,  a  benefactor  to  y^"  widows  and 
orphans,  a  kind  and  obHging  neighbor  and  friend  to  mankind,  are 
traits  in  his  character. 

O  gravel    a  while  thou'lt  hold  thy  destined  prey. 
But  he'll  revive  and  shine  in  endless  day. 
Ill  memory  of  Mr.  John  Buss,  who  departed  this  life  April 
6,  1775,  in  the  62  year  of  his  age. 

BUTTERS. 

Ahcl  Butters,  died  Nov.  28,  1853,  ^t.  64. 

Molly,  wife  of  Abel  Butters,  died  Dec.  4,  1871,  Mt.  93. 

CADY. 

Our  mother,  Wait  Cady,  a  Christian  pilgrim  for  more 
than  sixty  3'ears,  died  June  28,  1865,  .4£t.  95  years,  6 
months. 

Precious  in  the  sight  of  tlic  Lord  is  the  death  of  his  s.'iints. 

CALDWELL. 

Frances  Caldwell,  died   1865,  .-Et.  64,  born  Nov.  1,  1801. 

Jacob  Caldwell,  died  1823,  ^t.  75;  Patience,  his  wife, 
died  1822,  JEt.  76. 

Jacob  Caldwell,  died  1843,  JEt.  64;  Sarah  (Peirce),  his 
wife,  died  1814,  .Et.  32;  also  Mary  (Houghton)  (Har- 
rington), his  wife,  died  1864,  JEt.  85. 

Rev.  Jacob  Caldwell,  Jr.,  born  July  26,  1805,  died  Jan.  15, 
1889;    Mary  Ann,  his  wife,  died  1836,  Mt.  25. 

James  Caldwell,  died  Feb.,  1889,  Mt.  69.  Children:  Ches- 
ter P.  Caldwell,  died  1848,  ^t.  2  years;  Charles  S. 
Caldwell,  died  1870,  JEt.  22  years;  James  P.  Cald- 
well, died  1873,  JEt.  23  years. 

J.   P.  Caldwell,  died   1841,  .Et.  31,  born    March  13,  1810. 

CARLTON. 

In  memory  of  Mr.  Asa  Carlton,  who  died  28  Jan'y,  1802, 
in  the  68th  3'ear  of  his  age. 

Patient  was  he  if  fortune  frcnvned. 
Humble,  though  born  on  high ;  » 


274  Lunenbiirir  North  Burial  Ground. 


<b 


View  him,  ye   great,  and  learn  to  live. 
View  him  and  learn  to  die. 
Ora  A.  Carlton,  died  Dec.  12,  1861,  Mt.  23  years. 
In  memory  of  Airs.  Ruth  Carlton,  wife  of  Mr.  Asa  Carlton, 
who  died   2d   May,  1774,  in  the  33d  year  of  her  age. 

God  grant,  kind  reader,  that  3'ou  may 

Attend  the  solemn  call, 
And  to  the  ark  of  safety  fly. 
For  Christ  is  all  in  all. 
In    memory    of    Miss    Ruth    Carlton,    who    died   4th   June, 
1791,  in  the  22d  year  of  her  age. 

So  fades  the  lovely  blooming  flower, 
Frail,  smiling  solace  of  an  hour; 
So  soon  our  transient  comforts  fly. 
And  pleasures  only  bloom  to  die. 

Walter  E.  Carlton,  died  Jan.  18,  1856,  M\.  28  years. 

CARTER. 
In    memory   of  Mrs.    Lucy,    wife   of    Mr.  Jacob    P.    Carter, 
who  died  March  14,  1812,  aged  25  years. 

COGGvSWELL. 
In   memory   of  Miss   Eliza  Coggswell,    who  died   May  29, 
1822,  ^t.  21. 

Her  mind  on  earth  was  filled  with  fear, 

Distress  and  sorrows,  too. 
But  in  the  hour  of  death,  with  smiles  of  pe^icc. 
She  bade  her  friends  adieu. 
In  memor3'  of  Miss  Sally   Coggswell,  died   Aug.  10,  1817, 
yEt.  34  years. 

Farewell,  my  true  and  worthy-  friends. 

Farewell  to  all  my  charms ; 
Now  all  my  days  are  at  an  end, 
Death  calls  me  to  his  arms. 

COLBURN. 

Addie  E.,  died  Dec.  14,  1865,  JEt.  25;  Jennie  W.,  died 
Sept.  25,  1865,  yEt.  23,  daughters  of  John  and  Eliza 
Colburn. 

The3'  are  not  lost,  but  gone  before. 


Lunenburg  North  Burial  Ground.  275 

Eliza,    wife   of  John   Colburn,   died   March  30,    1894,   ^t. 

92  years,  9  months,  7  da^'S. 
John  Colburn,  died  June  7,  1879,  .-Et.  80  ^-ears,  9  months, 

19  days. 

CONANT. 

George  W.  Conant,  died  Dec.  1,  1884,  aged  79  years,  7 
months,  20  days;  Anna,  his  wife,  died  Jan.  18,  1890, 
aged  80  years,  10  months. 

Susie  E.  Conant,   daur.  of  George   \V.   and   Anna   Conant, 
died  Oct.  29,  1865,  Ait.  24  years,  8  months. 
She  was  beloved  in  life  and  remembered  in  death. 

COOK. 

Andrew  Cook,  died  Aug.  27,  1864,  Mt.  33  years,  9  months. 

Beloved  husband,  thou  art  sleeping. 
Ann   Maria,    wife  of  George  A.  Cook,   died   Aug.  5,    1858, 
JEt.  23  3'ears,  2  months,  13  days. 

Thy  work  is  done,  thy  suffering  o'er, 

And  thou  art  safe  at  last, 
Where  wicked  ones  molest  no  more. 
And  sorrow  and  all  tire  past. 
Betsey,   wife   of  Abel   Cook,   died    Sept.   13,   1847,   .Et.  35 
years,  8  months.     (She  was  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Rob- 
inson.) 
Lucy  Kilburn,  wife  of  Abel  Cook,  died   May  1,  1880,  .'Et. 

71  years,  5  months,  17  days. 
Mother.     Sylvia,   wife   of  Samuel   J.   Cook,   died    Jan.    10, 
1878,    JEt.   78.     Father.     Samuel   J.    Cook,    died   Jan. 
10,  1878,  ^t.  79  years,  10  months. 

Together  they  have  crossed  the  river, 

Waiting  on  the  other  shore. 
Soon  we'll  meet  them  with  our  loved  ones, 
At  home  in  heaven  forever  more. 

CUNNINGHAM. 
Martha    B.   Cunningham   of   Boston,   died    May    (>,    1840, 
JEt.  24  years. 


27G  Lunenburg  North  Burial  Gronnd. 


CURTIS. 

Widow  Lucy  Curtis,  wife  of  Capt.  Simeon  Curtis,  died 
March  4,  1814,  JEt.  91. 

CUSHING. 

Mrs.  Ann,  wife  of  Joshua  Cushinii^,  died  Dec.  2,  1827, 
JEt.  51. 

God  forl)id  I  should  glory  save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Charles,  son  of  Charles  and  Hannah  Cushini>-,  died  July  8, 
1797. 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Hon.  Charles  Cushing,  Esq.,  who 
depiirted  this  life,  after  a  lingering  and  painful  disease, 
\\hich  he  supported  with  Christian  fortitude  and  res- 
ignation, Nov.  25th,  1809,  JEt.  65. 

He  served  his  country  in  her  contest  for  the  ohtainment  of  free- 
dom and  independence,  and  has  since  sustained  with  honor  several  im- 
portant offices,  both  civil  and  military.  He  was  no  less  endeared 
to  his  family  connections  Ijy  his  disposition  to  disseminate  knowl- 
edge and  promote  the  social  virtues  than  to  the  community  by  his 
public  spirit  and  charity. 

Blessed  are  the  dead    who  die  in  the  Lord ;   yea,  saith  the  Spirit, 
for  they  rest  from  their  labors,  and  their  works  do  follow  them. 
[Note.     He  moved  from   Hingham  to  Lunenburg  1797. — E.  H.  M.] 

In  memory  of  Edmund  Cushing,  son  of  Charles  and  Han- 
nah Cushing,  born  Dec.  2d,  1774,  died  March  22d, 
1851. 

Faithful  to  every  duty,  public  and  private,  his  life  was  long  and 
active,  useful,  blameless,  fortunate.  At  peace  with  God  and  man, 
he  died  like  one  who  wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch  about  him 
and  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams. 

Children's  children  are  the  crown  of  old  men ;  and  the  glory  of 
children  are  their  fathers. 

George  A.  Cushing,  son  of  Edmund  and  Mary  Cushing, 
di^d  Sept.  11,  1880,  Mt.  67  years,  1  month,  4  days. 

In  memory-  of  Mary  Cushing,  wife  of  Edmund  Cushing, 
and  daughter  of  Josiah  and  Mary  Stearns,  born  Oct. 
25,  1776,  died  Dec.  15,  1866. 


Litnenbiirg  North  Burial  Ground.  277 

I  have  lived  and  passed  awa}-. 

Our  Mother. 

He  giveth  his  beloved  sleep. 

DAVIS. 

Sophronia   Davis,   born   at  Alstead,   N.  H.,    died   April   17, 
1881,  JEt.  75  years,  5  months. 

DAY. 

Miss  Anna  Day,  born  March  17,  1802,  died  Oct.  19,  1881. 
Harriet  L.,  wife  of  N.  C.  Day,  died  Dec.  12,  1868,  JEt.  35. 
Rev.  John  S.  Day,  born  June  4,  1816,  died  March  1,  1882. 

I  shall  be  satisfied  when  I  awake  in  thy  likeness. 

Mary   Ann,   wife  of  Rev.  John  S.  Day,  died   Oct.   4,  1844, 
^t.  26  years,  10  months. 

There  is  rest  in  heaven. 

Nathaniel   C.  Day,   died   May   30,  1901,   aged   88  years,  4 
months,  9  days. 

DICKSON. 
William    Dickson,    died   July    23,   1881,    JEt.   60    years,   9 
months,  12  days. 

DIKE. 

Amos  Dike,  died   March  11,  1873,  JEt.  74;   Sarah  W.,  his 
wife,   died   Dec.  16,  1893,  aged   73  years,  3  months,  4 

days. 

Rest  for  the  toilin^^  hand, 

Rest  for  the  anxious  brow, 
Rest  for  the  weary,  wayworn  feet, 

Rest  from  all  labor  now. 

DODGE. 

Elijah  Dodge,   died    March   21.  1843,   in   the  91st  year  of 
his  age. 

DOLE. 
In  memory  of  Mr.  John  Dole,  Jr.,  who  died  Jan.  22,  1817, 
aged  34  years. 

19 


278  Lunenburg  North  Burial  Ground. 

DRESSER. 
Mr.  Amos  Dresser,  died  March  24,  1830,  aged  85. 
Tender  parent,  faithful  lover, 
Ardent,  patriotic.  Christian  brother, 
In  this  quiet  village  lay 
Thy  long  laborious,  worn-out  days, 
Resting  in  the  God  of  truth 
To  raise  it  in  immortal  3'outh 
Glorious,  like  the  man  divine, 
Who  gave  his  life  to  ransom  thine. 

Amos  Dresser,  Jr.,  died  Oct.  3,  1810,  aged  24  years. 

Hilarity  he  viewed  with  great  disgust, 

And  pitched  his  tent  far  off,  amongst  the  just. 

Mrs.  Joanna,   relic   of  Amos   Dresser,   died  June   18,  1837, 

aged  88. 

Mother  in  Israel,  sweetly  sleep, 

Zion's  King  thy  dust  to  keep ; 

In  the  welcome  morning  rise 

To  take  thy  mansion  in  the  skies. 

DUDLEY. 
George  W.  Dudley,  sOn  of  0.  W.  and   Maria  Dudley,   died 
May  13,  1874,  ^t.  22. 

He  bade  farewell  to  the  pleasant  earth, 

He  has  gone  from  the  hearts  that  love  him, 
To  seek  a  brighter  and  better  home 
In  the  promised  land  above  him. 

Oliver  W.  Dudley,  died  February  20,  1870,  ^t.  42  years, 
1  month,  21  da3^s. 

For  I  know  that  my  redeemer  liveth. 

Rebecca,  wife  of  Dea.  Paul  Dudle}^,  formerly  wife  of  Ste- 
phen Nichols,  died  June  14,  1861,  Mt.  93. 

DUNSMOOR. 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Dunsmoor,  died  Aug.  24,  1827,  ^t.  70. 

Elizabeth  Good  ridge,  widow  Samuel  Dunsmoor,  died  March 
23,  1882,  J^\.  89. 

Memento  Mori.  Mere  lies  the  body  of  Hannah  Dunsmoor, 
daughter  of  Doctor  John  Dunsmoor  iind  Mrs.  Ruth, 
his  wife,  died  April  21st,  1770,  aged  14  3^ears. 


Limctibursr  North  Burial  Ground.  279 


<b 


'Tis  fixt,  'tis  just,  'tis  heaven's  high  will  ordains, 
And  ends  her  cares  and  fears,  her  griefs  and  pains; 
But  yet  here  friends  must  nunu'n  the  loss  severe. 
Yet  must  affection  drop  the  parting  tear. 

Henry  Dunsmoor,  died  April  12,  1835,  M\.  39. 

We  cherish  thy  memory. 
In  memory  of  Doctor  John  Dunsmoor,  who   departed  this 
life  Nov.  22d,  1794,  in  the  74th  year  of  his  age. 

Come,  friend,  and  drop  a  s^-mpathetic  tear, 

A  worthy  friend,  a  doctor,  moulders  here; 

In  good  old  age  he  met  the  solemn  call. 

And  paid  a  debt  of  Nature  owed  by  all. 

But  hold!   God  pleased  to  give,  'twas  his  to  take; 

We  trust  he's  happy  for  his  Savior's  sake. 

Joseph  Dunsmoor,  died   March  16,  1891,  aged  83  years,  8 

months,  12  da3's. 
In  memory   of  Mrs.    Ruth    Dunsmoor,    the   wife   of  Doctor 

John   Dunsmoor,  who  departed  this  Hfe  Jan.  15,  1787, 

in  the  70tli  year  of  her  age. 

Life,  how  short,  eternity,  how  long. 
Thy  saints,  while  ages  roll  away, 
The  endless  fame  survive; 
Then  glories  o'er  the  wrongs  of  time. 
Greatly  triumphiint  live. 

Sukey  Dunsmoor,  died  Dec.  27,  1841,  Mt.  56. 

Here  lies  our  only  sister,  mouldering  in  the  dust, 
Her  spirit  gone  to  heaven,  wc  trust. 
To  enjoy  the  blessings  of  the  just. 
Mrs.   Susanna,    wife  of  Ebenezer   Dunsmoor,  died    Feb.  27, 

1840,  ^t.  83. 
Capt.  Thomas  Dunsmoor,  son  of  Ebenezer  Dunsmoor,  died 
Sept.  4,  1853,  55  years,  8  mcmths,  21  days. 

We  love  this,  thy  resting  place. 

FAIRBANKS. 

Samuel  R.  Fair])anks,  died  May  21,  1858,  .^t.  42;  Cath- 
erine W.,  his  wife,  died  Aug.  6,  1899,  aged  83  years, 
9  months. 


280  Litnenburcc  North  Bjirial  Groiind. 


'<b 


FARMER. 
John  Farmer,  died  Jan.  11,  1873,  ^t.  86  years,  3  months, 

9  da3'S. 
Rev.  WilHam  Farmer,  died  June  24,  1862,  ^t.  69. 

FARNSWORTH. 
Plooma  Farnsworth,  died   April  6,  1873,  yEt.  69  years,  7 
months. 

FARWELL. 

Charlotte  Lovina  Farwell,  born  March  11,  1830,  died 
Aug.  29,  1840. 

Luther  Farwell,  born  Aug.  3,  1782,  died  Nov.  16,  1856; 
Hannah,  his  wife,  born  Nov.  15,  1788,  died  Feb.  19, 
1861. 

Mary  Ann  P.  Farwell,  born  Dec.  12th,  1808,  died  in  Bos- 
ton Nov.  21,  1881,  ^t.  72  years,  11  months,  9  days. 

Walter  Farwell,  born  Oct.  31,  1812,  died  Oct.  27,  1845. 

FELCH. 

Bela  W.  Felch,  died  Sept.  28,  1881,  aged  69  years,  5 
months,  20  days.  Buried  in  Fitzwilliam ;  born  in 
Royalston. 

FISKE. 
Eliza  Fiske,  died  May  13,  1879,  /Et.  74  years,  11  months, 
15  days. 

FLAGG. 

John   Flagg,  died  July  31,  1874,  JEt.  74  years,  9  months. 

He  giveth  to  his  beloved  sleep. 
Levi  Flagg,  died  Oct.  25,  1847,  ^t.  77. 
Ruth,  widow  of  Levi  Flagg,  died  March  18,  1848,  yEt.  79. 

FLETCHER. 
Mrs.    Betsey    Fletcher,    formerl^^    wife    of   Elijah    Longley, 
died  Dec.  29,  1869,  vEt.  87  years,  6  months. 


Limenburg  North  Burial  Ground.  281 

FRANCIS. 
Franklin  S.  Francis,  died   March  15,  1894,  aged  84  years, 

9  months,  23  days;  Jane  (Bailey),  his  wife,  died  March 

18,  1889,  aged  79  years,  11  months,  12  days. 
Hannah  M.  Black,  widow  of  Sidney  P.   Francis,  and   also 

widow   of    Isaac   Jones,    died    Dec.    3,    1881,    yEt.    33 

years,  10  months,  8  days. 
Sidney   P.   Francis,   died  July   20,    1876,   Mt.   30  years,    2 

months,  26  days. 

FREEMAN. 
Ellen  Maria  Freeman,  died  Nov.  19,  1879,  Mt.  81. 

Why  should  our  tears  in  sorrow  flow 

When  God  calls  his  own, 
And  bids  them  leave  a  world  of  woe 
For  an  immortal  crown  ? 
Mar3^   (Marsh),   wife  of  Henry  Freeman,   died   March   18, 
1881,  aged  65  years,  28  days.    (She  was  bedridden  for 
twelve  years  in  early  life.) 

Rest  now,  dear  mother,  rest, 
Thy  trials  now  are  o'er; 
To  be  on  earth  no  more. 

FULLER. 
Erected  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  John    Fuller,  departed   this 
life  4  Feb.,  1801,  in  the  70th  3'ear  of  his  age.     (A  sol- 
dier of  the  Revolution.) 

Hear  what  the  voice  from  heaven  proclaims 

For  all  the  pious  dead ; 
Sweet  is  the  savor  of  their  names, 

And  soft  their  sleep  in  bed. 

Sacred   to  the  memory  of  Mr.  John   Fuller,    who  died   31 
June,  1808.  >Et.  40. 

GIBSON. 

Benjamin  Gibson,  died  March  8,  1853,  .Et.  68. 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Mrs.  Naomi  Gibson,  wife  of  Air. 


282  Ltuienhirg  North  Burial  Ground. 

Timoth}'    Gibson,    who    died    Feb.    16,   1819,   aged    74 

years. 

I  leave  this  sinful  world 

And  wing  my  way  to  heaven. 

In  memory  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Gibson,  wife  of  Mr.  Timothy 
Gibson,  who  departed  this  life  March  v^  3d,  1789,  in 
the  38th  \'ear  of  her  age. 

The  sweet  remembrance  of  the  just 
Shall  flourish  when  the}'  sleep  in  dust. 

Mr.  Timothy  Gibson,   died  Sept.  14,  1832,  aged  80. 

GILCHREvST. 

Andrew  J.  Gilchrest,  son  of  WilHam  and  Eunice  Gilchrest, 
died  Nov.  8,  1853,  ^t.  19  years,  16  days. 

Yet  again  we  hope  to  meet  thee 

When  the  day  of  life  is  fled, 
There  in  heaven  with  joy  to  greet  thee, 

Where  no  farewell  tear  is  shed. 

Charles  Gilchrest,  died  Aug.  8,  1862,  lEt.  33. 

A  fond  son,  brother  and  father. 

Well  hast  thou  l)orne  the  liurden  and  the  strife 

To  mortals  given; 
Patiently  didst  thou  meet  the  toils  of  life, 
Rest  now  in  heaven. 
Charles  S.  Gilchrest,  died  July  17,  1*859,  ^t.  57  years,  10 
months. 

"So  dies  the  wave  along  the  shore." 

Isal^el  (jilchrest,  wife  of  C.  S.  Gilchrest,  died  June  11, 
1878,  ^t.  74. 

Not  dead,  but  passed  to  a  higher  life. 
James  Gilchrest,  died  Nov.  2,  1838,  Alt.  74. 
James    Gilchrest,    died     April    17,   1876,    .Et.   83    j^ears,   2 
months,  7  days. 

"As  for  nie,  I    will   l)eh()ld   ihy   face  in   righteousness;   I  shall  be 
satisfied   wlien   I   awake  witli  thy  likeness." 

John  F.  Gilciirest,  died  April  11,  1880,  ^t.  39  years,  4 
months,  14  da3^s. 


Lunenburg'  North  Burial  Ground.  283 


'  i> 


Julia  A.  Gilchrest,  wife  of  Charles  Gilchrest,  died  July   13, 
1860,  .Et.  24  years,  9  months,  22  days. 

She  has  gone  where  the  laugh  is  not  broken  In'  sighs, 

Nor  the  body  distorted  In'  pain ; 
Where  the  lamp  of  one's  life  is  the  smile  of  our  God, 
And  pleasure  eternally  reigns. 
Lizzie  C,  wife  of  John   F.   Gilchrest,   died  June  22,    1874, 

^t.  26  years,  17  da3's;   also  little  Alfred,  6  months. 
Mar^^  Ella,  daur.  of  Charles  and  Julia  Ann  Gilchrest,  died 
April   17,  1871,  .Et.  15  years,  8  months. 

My  fanc3'  doth  picture  that  bright  summer  land 
Where  spirits  of  loved  ones  in  myriads  stand 
To  welcome  me  home  to  a  glorious  sphere, 
To  dwell  with  my  father  and  mother  so  dear. 
Ruth  (Reddington),  wife  of  James  Gilchrest,  w^ho  died  Jan. 
4,  1848,  JEt.  84. 

[Note.     She  was  the  daughter  of  Benjamin    Reddington  and  Ruth  Stearns. 
She  was  married   May  17,  1787.] 

Salh'   (Sanderson)   Gilchrest,   wife  of  James  Gilchrest,  died 
Aug.  27,  1877,  ^t.  82  years,  2  months. 

"For  if  we  believe  that  Jesus  died  and  rose  again,  even  so  them 
also  which  sleep  in  Jesus  will  God  bring  with  him." 

William   Gilchrest,   died   April   14,    1858,   .Et.   70  years,   1 

month,  8  days. 

Happiness. 

William   A.  Gilchrest,   died  July  1,   1876,   ^Et.  17  years,  7 

months. 

Heaven's  gates  seem  opened  wider 

Since  our  Willie  went  away, 
And  at  times  he  seems  to  beckon. 

And  I  think  I  hear  him  say, 
"  Why  those  tears  and  bitter  anguish  ? 

Cease  that  sorrowful  refrain; 
Only  parted  for  a  season, 

All  my  friends  must  meet  again." 

GRAHAM. 

Benjamin    Graham    (of    England),     died     Feb.    14,     1875, 
JEt.  39. 


284  Limenburg  North  Burial  Groiuid. 

GRAVES. 
Luther  M.  Graves,  born  Oct.  11,  1810,  died  Nov.  30,  1861. 

GREEN. 

Asahel    Green,    died    July    19,    1878,    JEt.    80    years,    11 

months,  19  days. 
Nancy,  wife  of  Asahel  Green,  died   Feb.  10,  1877,  ^t.  69 

years,  8  months,  9  days. 

HALE. 
Mr.  Benjamin  Hale,  died  July  25,  1849,  Mt.  47. 
Susan  W.  Hale,  died  Feb.  5,  1858,  Mt.  59. 

Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord. 

HAMMOND. 

Amanda,  wife  of  Luther  Hammond,  died  Oct.  13,  1848, 
Mt.  35. 

HARLOW. 

Elizabeth,  wife  of  Capt.  William  Harlow,  born  Feb.  12, 
1771,  died  Dec.  1,  1854. 

She  soared  to  dwell  with  Jesus. 

Hezekiah  J.,  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Harlow,  died 
June  13,  1868,  aged  63  years,  7  months,  3  days. 

Sacred  to  the  memory'  of  Mrs.  Sarah,  relic  of  Capt.  Wil- 
liam  Harlow,  who  died    Feb.  15,  1827,  Mt.  83  years. 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Capt.  William  Harlow,  who 
departed  this  life  Oct.  10,  1812,  in  the  68th  year  of 
his  age. 

Capt.  William   Harlow,  born  Jan.  16,  1771,  died   Oct.  31, 

1851. 

Safely  anchored  in  the  haven  of  rest. 

HARRINGTON. 

Celenda,    wife    of   Isaac    Harrington,    died    Dec.    4,    1849, 

^t.  54. 

O  nia}-  wc  meet  on  that  blest  shore, 
Where  parting  tears  are  known  no  more. 


Ltineiibtirs:  NortJi  Burial  Ground.  285 


't3 


Erected  to  the  memor}'  of  Mr.  Elijah  Harrington,  who 
died  Oct.  14th,  1813,  lEt.  35. 

Amiable    in    disposition,    and    dutiful   in    conduct,   his    character 

such  as  to  endear  him  in  an  uncommon   degree  to  his  connections 

and  to  conciliate  the  hearts  of  all,  possessing  a  firm  mind  animated 

with  cares,  stored  with  fortitude  and   discretion,  which  his  peculiar 

position    required,    he    was    distinguished    for    those    virtues    which 

adorn  private  life  and  confer  happiness  on  those  around,  with  these 

good  qualities,   to   draw    closer    the  bonds  of  friendship.     His  loss 

was  severely  felt   by   all   who   knew    him,  as   well   as  by   his   nearer 

connections. 

Born  in  Watertown. 

Emily,    wife    of    Isaac    Harrington,    died    Oct.    31,    1S74-, 

JEt.  63. 
Erected  to  the  memory   of  Mrs.   Esther  Harrington,  wife 

of  Mr.  William   Harrington,  who  died  Feb.  4th,  1813, 

^t.  61. 

At  home  and  in  the  diligent  discharge  of  the  duties  of  a  wife,  a 
mother  and  a  Christian,  she  sought  the  applause  of  her  own  heart 
and  of  God.  She  found  her  happiness  in  being  useful  and  beloved 
in  the  bosom  of  her  family.  Her  last  days  passed  under  the  frown 
of  that  mysterious  providence  which  puts  mortals  into  the  furnace 
of  affliction  to  tr^-  them,  and  through  much  tribulation  she  hath 
entered,  as  we  trust,  the  residence  of  Heaven. 

Franklin  B.  Harrington,  son  of  Isaac  and  Celenda,  died 
Nov.  24,  1863,  Mt.  33. 

This  stone  is  consecrated  to  the  memory  of  Mrs.  Hannah 
Harrington,  the  wife  of  Mr.  William  Harrington,  who 
departed  this  life  Oct.  13th,  1811,  in  the  26th  year  of 
her  age — 

In  the  bloom  of  youth,  and  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  a  Christian.  If  innocence  and  usefulness,  the  love  of  a  hus- 
band and  relatives,  and  the  want  of  an  infant-orphan  would  have 
detained  her,  the  date  of  her  years  had  not  been  so  short.  But  she 
lived  long  in  little  time,  early  finished  her  probation,  retired  from 
the  temptations  and  sorrows  of  time  to  the  visions  of  happy  spirits 
in  a  better  world,  there  waiting  and  watching  those  whom  she 
cherished  and  loved  in  life. 
Isaac  Harrington,  died  May  16,  1874,  ^t.  87. 


28G  Luneiiburg  North  Burial  Ground. 

Erected  in  memory  of  Mr.  Joel  Harrington,  who  died  Sept. 
27,  1806,  aged  26. 

We  mourn  thy  sudden,  swift  remove 

From  each  and  ^dl  enjoyments  here; 
At  Christ's  command  we  must  obey 

Without  a  murmur  or  a  fear. 

Mrs.  Lydia,  wife  of  Isaac  Harrington,  died  Aug.  14,  1827, 

^t.  35. 
Sukey   Harrington,   died   Feb.   14th,    1806,  aged    10  years, 

5  months,   4  days,    daughter   of   WilHam    and    Esther 

Harrington. 

My  days  are  few,  and  I  but  small. 
My  work  is  done,  Christ  is  all. 
This   stone   is  consecrated    to  the   memory  of  Mr.  William 
Harrington,  who  died  Aug.  8,  1823,  JEX..  77. 

He  was  an  affectionate  and  faithful  husband  and  parent,  univer- 
sall^"  beloved  and  esteemed  as  a  friend  and  neighbour,  an  exemplary 
member  of  the  church  of  Christ,  irreproachable  in  all  the  relations 
which  he  sustained  in  life.  He  met  death  without  fear  and  in  the 
full  assurance  of  hope,  and  his  memory  is  blessed. 
Moved  from  Watertown  1790. 
In  memor\'  of  Dea.  William  Harrington,  who  died  March 
21,  1868,  ^t.  86  years,  3  months. 

"Asleep  in  Jesus,  blessed  sleep." 

HART. 

Erected   in   memory   of    Mr.    Daniel    Hart,    who   died    May 
9th,  1812,  .^t.  63. 

HARTWELL. 
Hattie  ^.  Hartwell,   l)orn  Sept.   27,   1853,   died   Sept.    26, 
1877,  Alt.  24  years;   Alice  K.  Hartwell,  horn  Jan.  15, 
1857,   died  Jan.    13,    1880,   Mt.    23  years;  children   of 
Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Hartwell. 

HASKELL. 
Erected  in   memory   of   Mrs.    Phebe    Haskell,   wife   of   Mr. 
Henry  Haskell,  who  died  June  21,  1823,  ^t.  41. 


Lunenburg  NortJi  Burial  Ground.  287 

HASTINGS. 

Lydia  (Whitney)  Hastings,  wife  of  Naaman  Hastings. 
Naaman  Hastings,   died   Oct.   4,   1864,   .-Et.   76  3'ears,   10 

months,  14  days. 
Mr.   Thomas   Hastings,  son  of  Naaman   and   Lydia   Hast- 
ings, died  July  28,  1840,  ^t.  25  years. 
Ah!   who  can  tell  fond  parents'  woe, 

What  pencil  paint  their  grief". 
When  all  of  jo}'  that  earth  could  show 
Is  faded,  gone  in  death? 

HEATH. 

Ann  Earl  Cad\'  Heath,  wife  of  Rev.  Samuel,  died  Sept.  28, 

1896,  aged  83  years,  10  months,  17  da^'S. 
Here  rests  the  body  of  dear  Henry  L.,  to  w^ait  the  resur- 
rection morn,   youngest  son   of  Rev.  Samuel  and   Ann 
E.  Heath,  a  child  of  music  and  of  grace,   died   Oct.  8, 
1865,  Mt.  26  years. 

Safe  in  w\\  heavcnU'  Father's  arms, 

I  could  forget  \\\y  breath, 
And  lose  my  life  amid  the  charms 
Of  so  divine  a  death. 
John  Heath,  died   April  11,  1876,  .^Et.  74  years,  1  month, 

18  days. 
Mrs.  Merriam   Heath,  died   March  6,  1880,  Mt.  11  years, 

10  months,  18  days. 
Rev.   Samuel   Heath,   died   in   Hebronville,  Mass.,  Jan.   21, 
1868,  .-Et.  64. 

That  they  may  rest  from  their  lal)ors,  and  their  works  do  follow    them. 

HERRICK. 

In    mcmor}'    of   Mrs.    Mary    Herrick,    died    Nov.    5,    1822, 
Mt.  38. 

Distressing  pain  she  did  endure, 

For  many  weeks  she  lay,    . 
Till  death  at  last  was  sent  with  power   • 

To  take  her  pains  awa3'. 


288  Limenbiirg  North  Burial  Ground. 

HILBERT. 
Anthony    Hilbert,   died   July   17,   1890,   aged   81    years,   9 
months;   Henrietta  K.  Hilbert,  his  wife,  died   Nov.  16, 
1879,  JEt.  61. 

HILDRETH. 

Corporal   Francis  A.    Hildreth,   Co.   B,   15th   Mass.   Regt., 

died  at  Poolsville,  Md.,  Oct.  7,  1861,  .'Et.  20. 
George    Hildreth,   died    April    10,   1856,   ^t.   47    years,   7 
months. 

He  has  bade  farewell  to  the  pleasant  earth, 
He  has  gone  from  the  hearts  that  loved  him, 
To  seek  a  brighter  and  a  better  home. 
James   M.  Hildreth,  Co.  H,  23d   Mass.  Regt.,   died   at  An- 

dersonville  prison,  Georgia,  Sept.  24-,  1864,  ^Et.  21. 
Mary   B.,   died  Nov.   6,    1849,   .^t.   9;   Martha  Jane,  died 
Nov.  6,  1849,  ^t.  7;   Rachel   M.,  died   Nov.  11,  1849, 
JEt.    6    months.      All    died    of  small-pox ;    children    of 
George  and  Lucy  T.  Hildreth. 

They  were  pleasant  and  lovely  in  their  lives,  and  in  their  death 
were  not  divided. 

HILTON. 

In  memory  of  Mrs.  Nancy  Hilton,  wife  of  Mr.  Samuel 
Hilton,  Jr.,  who  died  17th  May,  1808,  in  the  27th 
year  of  her  age. 

Let  sorrow  change  to  sacred  mirth, 

Know  God  in  love  hath  given; 
The  pure  in  heart  mourn  on  earth, 
Perpetual  smiles  in  heaven. 
In   memory  of  Mrs.  Rebeckah    Hilton,  wife  of  Mr.  Samuel 

Hilton,  who  died  June  31,  1818,  JEt.  84. 
Mr.  Samuel   Hilton,  died  Jan.  15,  1822,  in   the  85th  year 
of  his  age. 

HOLMAN. 

Charlotte,  daur.  of  Ira  and  Louisa  Holman,  died  Jan.  16, 
1834,  aged  12  years. 


Lunenburg  North  Burial  Ground.  289 

Ira  Holman,  died  March  6,  1825,  aged  28;  also  his  wife, 
Louisa  Marshall,  died  Dec.  12,  1871,  ^t.  71. 

Ira  Holman,  son  of  Ira  and  Louisa  Holman,  died  Nov.  3, 
184-5,  aged  20  years. 

Reuben  Marshall  Holman,  died  in  Leominster,  Sept.  27, 
1879,  ^t.  60  years,  27  days. 

HOUGHTON. 

Daniel  W.  Houghton,  died  Dec.  15,  1879,  .^t.  59. 
Rest  for  the  toiling  hands, 

Rest  for  the  anxious  brow. 
Rest  for  the  fevered,  throbbing  brain, 
Rest  from  all  labor  now. 
Edmund   Houghton,   died   Aug.    6,  1876,  JEt.   66  j'ears,  5 

months,  25  daj-s. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth,  consort  of  Maj.  Levi  Houghton,  who  died 

Dec.  27,  1828,  .^t.  47. 
Erected  in  memory  of  Mrs.  Emma  Houghton,  wife  of  Mr. 
Levi  Houghton,  who  died  April  22,  1812,  aged  73. 

This  sickness  sore 
Long  time  I  bore. 

Physicians  were  in  vain; 
Till  death  did  seize. 
And  God  did  please 
To  ease  me  of  my  pain. 
Josiah  S.  Houghton,  died  May  4,  1872,  ^t.  67. 
Clasped  in  my  heavenlj'  Father's  arms, 

I  would  forget  my  breath. 
And  lose  my  life  among  the  charms 
Of  so  divine  a  death. 

Maj.  Levi  Houghton,  died  Jan.  26,  1866,  .^t.  92. 

The  dust  returns  to  earth  as  it  was. 
The  spirit  unto  God  who  gave  it. 
In    memory  of   Mr.   Levi    Houghton,   who    died    Oct.    16, 

1817,  .'Et.  81. 
Levi  R.  Houghton,  born  Feb.  10,  1815,  died  May  6,  1874, 
JEt.  59. 


290  Litnenburs:  North  Burial  Ground. 


'i> 


Malinda   H.,   wife  of  Daniel   W.    Houghton,   died  Juh'   23, 
1861,  ^t.  39  years,  10  months. 

A  bosom  friend,  a  kind    mother.     We  expect  to  meet   thee    where 
no  farewell  tear  is  shed. 
Warren   H.,  son  of  Obed   and   Nancy   Houghton,  died  Oct. 
28,  1849,  .^t.  14  3^ears,  4  months. 

When  hloominjj;  youth  is  snatched  awa^- 

By  death's  resistless  hand, 
Our  hearts  the  mournful  tribute  pay, 
Which  pity  must  demand. 
William  R.   Houghton,  son  of  Levi  R.,  died  Sept.  12,  1882, 
J^t.    27.      He  was   killed   on   the   Old    Colony    railroad 
freight  while  shackling  cars. 

HOVEY. 

James   Hovey,    son    of    Mr.    Solomon   and    Jerusha    Hovey, 

who   died    20th    Sept.,    1807,   in   the   19th   year   of  his 

age. 

Oh  say,  grim  death,  why  thus  destroy 

The  parents'  hope,  their  fondest  jo}-  ? 

HOWARD. 

r 

Calvin    Howard,   born    in    Lunenburg,    died    in    Westford, 

yEt.   90  years,  3  months,  10  days.     Was  a   veteran  of 

the  war  of  1812. 
Edward    Howard,   died    Aug.   17,    1864,   .^t.   20.    (Son  of 

John  Howard.) 
George  A.  Howard,  Co.  B,  53d  Regt.  Mass.  Vols.,  died  at 

Baton   Rouge,   La.,    May   24,    1863,   .^t.   27.     (Son   of 

John  Howard.) 
John  Howard,  married  Nov.  20,  1820,  died  Oct.  11,  1880, 

JEt.  82  years,   1   month,  24  days. 
Luther  Howard,  died  Jan.  21,  1874,  ^t.  82. 
Nancy  Caldwell,   widow   of  John   Howard,   died   Nov.   27, 

1883,  aged  83  years,  3  months,  4  days. 
Sarah,  widow  c^f  Dca.    Timothy    Howard,  died    March  31, 

1856,  JEt.  85. 


Lunenburg  North  Bnrial  Ground.  291 

Dea.  Timothy  Howard,  died  March  13,  1846,  yEt.  82. 
In  memory  of  Timothy  Howard,  Jr.,  died    Nov.  13,  1836, 
aged  47. 

HUDSON. 

My   mother,   Sybil   Hudson,   died  Nov.   23,    1860,   .-Et.   68 
years. 

HUMPHREY. 

Edward   Humphrey,   died   March  18,  1877,  ^t.  84  years, 

7  months,  20  da3'S. 
EHas    Humphrey,  Jr.,   died    April    21,   aged    20    years,    11 

months,  23  da3^s. 
Mrs.  Salh^    Humphrey,  died   in    Fitchburg   Aug.  5th,  1882, 

^t.  85  years,  25  daA'^s. 

IRELAND. 

In  memory  of  Lieut.  Abraham  Ireland,  who  died  29  April, 

1799,  aged  87  3^ears. 
In   memory  of  Mrs.  Ann   Ireland,  wife  of  Lieut.   Abraham 

Ireland,  who  died  2  April,  1799,  aged  84  ^-ears. 

JACKMAN. 

Betse}'   Jackman,    died   Jan.    17,    1889,    aged   92  years,   9 

months,  13  days. 
Joseph  Jackman,  died  Feb.  11,  1841,  JEt.  76. 
Mr.  Levi  Jackman,  died  June  1,  1840,  JEt.  34. 
Mrs.   LA'dia,   wife  of  Joseph  Jackman,  died   Dec.  14,  1847, 

Mt.  83. 

JACKSON. 

Caroline  Jackson,  wife  of  WilHam  H.,  died  Jan.  12,  1887, 

aged  77. 
Deborah,   wife  of  Nathaniel  Jackson,   died   Nov.  26,    1865, 

^t.  87  \'ears,  2  months. 

Hill  in  tlic  clcit  of  the  rocks. 
Edwin    Jackson,    lived    and   died    in    Fitchburg;   died    Sept. 
2d,  1882,  in  his  70th  year. 


292  Lunenburz  North  Burial  Ground. 


<b 


Lucy  Jackson,  died  June  17,  1890,  aged  83. 

Mary  H.  Jackson,  born  Jul_v  4,  1816,  died  Jan.  8,  1845. 

Faith  is  changed  to  sight. 

Nathaniel  Jackson,  died   Aug.  29,  1862,  ^t.  88  years,  11 

months. 

At  eventide  there  was  hght. 

William   H.  Jackson,   died  Julj^   19,   1877,   aged   76  years. 

Born  in  Plj^mouth  1801. 

JAMES. 

Mary,  wife  of  Thomas  James,  died  Jan.  20,  1856,  J^t.  84 

years,  4  months,  21  days. 
Thomas  James,  died  June  25,  1844,  in  his  63d  year. 

JAMESON. 

Andrew  Jameson,   died   March   7,   1881,   M,t.   62  years,   4 
months,  18  days;   b.  at  Antrim,  N.  H. 

JEWETT. 

Eleazer   Jewett,    died    March    23,    1873,   Mt.   82  years,   0 
months,  10  days.     Buried  in  Shirley. 

JONES. 

Ann    Jones,    wife    of    David    Jones,    died    Jan.    20,    1844, 

^t.  56. 
C.  G.  Jones,  died  Sept.  19,  1859,  ^t.  25. 
David  Jones,  died  Dec.  10.  1860,  J&t.  87. 
Mr.  David  Jones,  son  of  John  and   Mary  Jones,  died  July 
31,  1839,  ^t.  32. 

O,  might  we  all  be  like  him,  believe 
And  keep  the  faith,  win  the  prize ; 
Father,  prepare  and  then  receive 

Our  hallowed  spirits  to  the  skies, 
To  chant  with  all  our  friends  above 
Thy  glorious  everlasting  love. 
In   memory   of   Miss    Eliza   Jones,   daughter  of   Mr.    John 
and  Mary  Jones,  who  died  May  31,  A.  D.  1814,  aged 
16  years,  3  months,  11  days. 


Lunenburg  North  Burial  Ground.  293 

Sweet  is  the  scene  when  virtue  dies, 

When  sinks  a  righteous  soul  to  rest ; 
How  mildly  beam  the  closing  CA-es, 
How  gently  heaves  the  expiring  breast. 
She  left  the  greatest  consolation  to  her  friends. 
Elnathan,  son  of  Elnathan   and  Hannah  Jones,  died    11th 
of  October,    1849,    on   his  passage    to   San    Francisco, 
Cal.     He  was  born   Aug.    11,   1811,   J^t.   38  years,   1 
month,  27  days.     Buried  in  Cahfornia. 
Elnathan  Jones,  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Jones,  born  Aug. 
12,  1774,  intermarried    with  Hannah    Harrington  Feb. 
4,  1802,  departed  this  life  March  16,  1849. 
Maj.    Ephraim  Jones,  died  Dec.  25,  1880,  J^t.  88  years,  7 

months. 
Frances   A.  Jones,   died   Sept.    15,    1857,   ^t.    18  3^ears,   3 
months. 

The  friends  we  love  the  dearest 

Are  resting  in  the  grave, 
One  by  one  their  forms  have  left  us, 

The  gentle,  true  and  brave; 
The  departed  know  not  of  sorrow, 

In  realms  of  bliss  they  calmly  rest, 
Together  now  their  voices  mingle 

With  the  angels  of  the  blest. 

Hannah  M.  Black,  (widow  of  Sidney  Francis,)  wife  of 
Isaac  Jones,  died  Dec.  11,  1881,  J^.  33  years,  10 
months,  8  days;  born  in  Maiden.  Buried  in  Lunen- 
burg. 

Hannah    (Harrington),  wife  oi    Elnathan  Jones,  died    Aug. 
24,  1857,  ^t.  79. 

A  shock  of  corn  ripened  by  ix  long  and  precious  autumn. 

In  memory  of  Henrietta  Jones,  daughter  of  Capt.  William 

Jones  and   Susanna,  his  wife,  who  died  Nov.  2d,  1812, 

in  her  15th  year. 

Friends  and  physicians  could  not  save 

My  mortal  bod}'  from  the  grave, 

Xor  can  the  grave  confine  me  here 

When  Christ  shall  call  me  to  appear. 
20 


294  Limetibiirg  North  Burial  Ground. 

Isaac  Jones,  died  Nov.  19,  1881,  Mt.  54  years,  4  months, 

4  da3'S ;   born  in  Wilmington.     Buried  in  Amesbury. 
Jemima  B.  (Cfirlton),  wife  of  Ephraim  Jones,  died  July  7, 

1846,  ^t.  50. 
John  Jones,  died  Aug.  16,  1851,  JEt.  87. 
Joseph  Jones,  died  Jan.  19,  1896,  aged  76  years,  6  months, 

4  days. 
Sacred    to  the    memory   of   Mr.   Joseph   Jones,    who    died 

April  17,  1810,  ^t.  75. 

Behold  the  spirit  of  the  just 

Ascend  to  God  on  high, 
And  while  the  body  sleeps  in  dust, 
The  soul  shall  never  die. 
Mrs.  Lucinda  B.  Jones,  died  April  5,  1864,  ^t.  63,  mother 

of  William  E.  and  Ora  A.  Carlton. 
Miss    Mary   Jones,    died   July    3,    1870,    .^t.   69  years,   7 

months. 

A  friend  to  all. 

Mary  T.,  wife  of  John  Jones,  died  Jan.  15,  1849,  ^t.  80. 
Farewell,  dear  friends,  and  children,  too, 

For  Christ  has  called  me  home; 
In  a  short  time  he'll  call  for  you, 
Prepare  3'ourselves  to  come. 
Mrs.   Mary   (Carter)  Jones,   widow   of  Joseph  Jones,   died 

Feb.  18,  1827,  .^t.  90. 
Olivia  G.  Jones,  died  July  4,  1852,  .^t.  44. 
Dearest  mother,  thou  hast  left  us. 

Here  thy  loss  we  deeply  feel. 

But  'tis  God  that  hath  bereft  us. 

He  can  all  our  sorrows  heal. 

Samuel  Jones,  died  Jan.  19,  1847,  Mt.  74. 

Erected  in  memory  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Jones,  wife  of  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Jones,  who  departed  this  life  in  great  composure 
of  mind,  and  in  full  hope  of  '<\  glorious  resurrection, 
Nov.  26th,  1789,  in  the  55th  3'ear  of  her  jige. 

S.  Lizzie,  wife  of  George  E.  Jones,  died  May  16,  1874, 
Mt.  37. 


Lunenburor  North  Burial  Ground.  295 


'-?> 


Thomas  Jones,  son  of  Elnathan  and  Hannah  Jones,  born 
July  3,  1809;  died  at  the  hospital,  Worcester,  Dec.  1, 
1873,  ^t.  64  years,  5  months.     Lived  in  Stoneham. 

Capt.  WilHam  Jones,  died  May  15,  1854,  Mt.  89;  Su- 
sanna, his  wife,  died  July  27,  1856,  JEt.  84  years,  4 
months. 

William  Jones  (the  first  settler)  was  dismissed  from  the 
church  at  Weston  to  that  of  Lunenburg  Feb.  25, 
1730-31. 

He  was  a  civil   engineer,  and   he  was   wrecked   on  a  return   voy- 
age from  Nova  Scotia  in  ITBl. 

In  memory  of  Mr.  William  Jones,  who  died  May  23, 
1809,  in  the  74th  year  of  his  age. 

We  hope  he's  gone  to  reahns  aljove. 
Where  all  is  pleasure,  peace  and  love, 
There  to  repeat  the  Savior's  praise, 
And  sing  of  his  redeeming  grace. 

William    F.  Jones,   died  Jan.   26,    1851,   ^t.   26  years,  10 

months. 
William   H.  Jones,   son   of   Elnathan    and    Hannah   Jones, 

died  Feb.  19,  1875,  JEt.  59  A^ears,  5  months,  4  days. 

William   S.  Jones,   died   Sept.    18,    1891,   aged   77  years,  9 

months,  13  days. 

KEMP. 

Charles  R.  Kemp,  died  Aug.  12,  1876,  aged  47. 
Harriet   E.,  wife  of  Charles  R.  Kemp,  died   Feb.  21,  1871, 
JEt.  37  years,  3  months. 

Live  on  to  know,  we  shall  meet  again. 

KENDALL. 
Pierson    Kendall,   died   June  25,   1872,   .4it.   75  years,   10 

months. 

F"ormerl_v  of  Sterling,  Mass. 

KEYSER. 
Stillman     Keyser,    died    Feb.    6,    1869,    Ait.    43    years,    1 
month,  7  days. 


296  Liinetiburg  North  Burial  Ground. 

KIMBALL. 
Erected  in   memory  of  Mrs.  Abigail   Kimball,  wife  of  Maj. 
Thomas  Kimball,  who  died  Dec.  13,  1802,  Mt.  4-5. 
Dry  up  your  tears,  surviving  friends, 
Weep  not  for  nie,  but  for  your  sins; 
Die  to  the  world,  live  unto  (iod. 
The  grave  will  soon  be  your  abode. 
In   memory   of   Mrs.    Eliza    Kimball,   wife  of   Mr.    Joshua 
Kimball,   who  departed  this  life  April   19th,   1796,   in 
the  32d  year  of  her  age. 
Erected    to    the    memory   of  George    Kimball,    Esq.,    who 
died  Oct.  13th,  1790,  in  the  67th  year  of  his  age. 

His  thoughts  of  religion  were  rational,  and  his  practice  of  it 
sincere.  Averse  from  bigotry  and  superstition,  he  worshiped  his 
God  with  constant  and  unaffected  devotion.  As  a  husband  he  was 
kind,  as  a  parent  affectionate,  as  a  friend  faithful;  a  lover  of  hospi- 
tality, a  patriotic  citizen,  an  upright  magistrate. 

Mary,  wife  of  Samuel  Kimball,  died  Jan.  15,  1844,  Mt.  91. 

Mary,  daur.  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Kimball,  died  Jan.  6, 
1865,  ^t.  81. 

Samuel  Kimball,  died  June  23,  1830,  Mt.  81. 

In  memory  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Kimball,  relic  of  George  Kim- 
ball, Esq.,  who  died  Jan'y  27,  1801,  in  the  78th  year 
of  her  age. 

Underneath  these  clods  are  deposited  the  remains  of  Mrs. 
Sarah  Kiinball,  who  departed  this  life  in  comfortable 
hope  of  a  better  Feb.  1st,  1790,  in  the  43d  year  of 
her  age. 

With  exemplary  patience  she  endured  afflictions. 
Though  dead,  she  speaks  to  her  children's  cries, 
Prepare  for  death,  lo,  here  my  body  lies. 

Serve  your  Creator;    keep  his  just  commands. 

KING. 
Dr.  Samuel  D.  King,  died  Oct.  6,  1863,  aged  66. 
Sarah    D.,    wife   of   Dr.   S.   D.    King,    died    May    6,    1884, 
aged  80. 


Limetiburg  North  Burial  Ground.  297 

LANCEY. 

Abby  A.  Lancey,  died  Sept.  8,  1866,  JEt.  37. 

Meet  me  in  heaven. 

Eli  S.  Lancey,  a  member  of  2d   Battery,  Mass.  Vols.,  died 

Oct.  18,  1865,  JEt.  34. 

LAWTON. 

Lucretia  M.  Lawton,  died  Oct.  12,  1877,  JEt.  44  years, 
1  month,  21  days. 

LEWIS. 
Abbie  A.,  daur.   of  Alex.   Lewis,   died   Sept.   2,   1855,   JEt. 
17    years,   11    months.     Also  3  others,   children   of   A. 
Lewis. 
Abigail,  wife  of  Alexander  LewMS,  died  Jan.  26,  1841,  JEt. 

35  years. 
Charlotte    (Brown)    Lewis,    second    wife  of   Ithra    Lewis, 
died  May  18,  1882,  .^t.  63  years,  5  months,  10  days. 
Ithra  Lewis,  died  March  27,  1884,  aged  83. 
James    Lewis,   son   of   Ithra  and   Mary   Lewis,   died   April 
10,  1853,  ^t.  25  years,  8  months,  15  days. 
Rejoice,  )'e  mourners  here  below, 

That  he  is  gone  to  worlds  above, 
Yet  mourn  his  loss  in  parting  so. 
For  he  is  worthy  of  your  love. 
Suddenly  he  was  called  to  go, 
And  bid  adieu  to  all  below; 
Sudden  the  vital  spirit  fled, 
And  he  was  numbered  with  the  dead. 

Mrs.  Mary,  wife  of  Ithra  Lewis,  died  Oct.  16,  1847,  .^t. 
43  years,  8  months. 

Although  I  am  dead  I  speak  to  thee, 
Prepare  for  death  and  follow  me. 

In  memory  of  Miss  Nanc}^  Lewis,  daughter  of  Seth  and 
Sally  Lewis,  who  died  Sept.  18,  1825,  ^Et.  22. 

Olive  (Marshall),  wife  of  Hamor  Lewis,  died  April  4, 
1841,  ^t.  29  years,  5  months,  7  days. 


298  Limenburz  North  Burial  Ground. 


<?> 


Mrs.  Sally  Lewis,  died  Nov.  7,  1834,  in  the  68th  year  of 

her  age. 
Mr.  Seth  Lewis,  born  in  Billerica  May  6,  1768,  died  Jimc 

22,  1885,  in  the  67th  year  of  his  age! 

LITCHFIELD. 

Charles  Litchfield,   died  Jan.    12,  1878,   ^t.  80  years,   10 

months. 

Lucretia,   wife  of   Charles  Litchfield,   died   Jul^y   25,   1886, 

aged  74. 

LIVERxMORE. 

Mrs.  Abigail  Livermore,  died  June  25,  1859,  yEt.  84. 

LONGLEY. 

Mary   D.    (Bowers)    Longley,   died    March   27,   1881,   Mt. 
75  years,  1  month,  19  days. 

MANNING. 
EHzabeth  S.  Manning,  died  Aug.  4,  1865,  Mt.  34  years. 
James  C.  Manning,   died   April   23,  1849,  .-Et.  22  years,  3 

months. 
Lyman  B.  Manning,   died  June  14,  1871,  M,\..  26  years,  8 

months.     A  member  of  Co.  F,  6th  Mass.  Regt. 
Nancy    (Stearns),    wife  of  Peter    Manning,    died   June   14, 

1888,  aged  80. 
Peter   Manning,  M.  D.,  died   Aug.  4,  1855,   Mt.  63  years, 

9  months. 
WilHam  S.  Manning,  died  July  11,  1868,  J^t.  32  years,  6 

months.     Buried  at  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

MARSH. 

Samuel   Marsh,   died    Dec.   9,    1877,   ^t.   86  years;    Mary 
Puffer,  his  wife,  died  Dec.  21,  1874,  aged  82. 

MARSHALL. 

Annetta  S.,  dau.  of  Albert  S.  and  Susan  E.  Marshall,  died 
in  Fitchburg  Aug.  9,  1883,  JEt.  11   years,  11  months. 


Ljinoihnrg  North  Burial  Ground.  299 

Betsey,  wife  of  Samuel  Marshall,  died  Aug.  22,  1860,  .^t. 

83  years,  8  months. 
In   memor3'  of  Mrs.  Bridget,  relic  of  Mr.  Jacob   Marshall, 

who  died  May  31,  1837,  aged  78. 
Caroline    E.,    wife    of    Zachariah     Marshall,    died    Dec.    5, 

1851,  .^t.  43. 
In   memory   of  Mr.   David   Marshall,   died  June   13,    1831, 

aged  60. 
David   Marshall,  Jr.,  died  in  Pennsylvania   April  17,  1879, 

Mt.  about  77. 
In  memory  of  Mrs.  Dorcas  H.,  wife  of  Mr.  William   Mar- 
shall,  who  died   Aug.  6,  1834,   ^t.  26.     Also  William 

Alfred,  died  in  1832. 

Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord. 

Hannah   (Choate)    Marshall,   second   wife  of  Samuel   Mar- 
shall, 3d,  died  Nov.  23,  1880,  in  Boston,  .^t.  62  years, 

5  months. 
Hannah    Marshall,    daur.   of  Jacob    and    Polly    Marshall, 

died  Feb.  28,  1840,  Mt.  14  years,  0  months,  20  days. 
Hepsibeth  (Brooks),  wnfe  of  Timothy  Marshall. 
Jacob   Marshall,   who   died  Nov.  24,  1846,   JEt.  66  years, 

8  months,  23  days. 
Jacob    Marshall,   son   of  Jacob  and   Polly    Marshall,   died 

in  Charlestown  June  7,  1838,  yEt.  22  3^ears,  2  months, 

18  days.     Buried  there. 
Mr.  Jacob   Marshall,   died   Oct.  29,  1830,   aged   82.     Born 

in  Billerica,  settled  in  Lunenburg  1779. 
James  Marshall,  died  July  27,  1807,  aged  25  years. 
Joseph   Richardson,  son  of  Timothy   Marshall,  died  in  Be- 

loit,  Wis.,  Dec.  27,  1879. 
Lucy    H.    (Jones),    wife  of   David    Marshall,   Jr.,    died    at 

Cambridge  Oct.  15th,  1830,  aged  26. 
Minnie  A.,  dau.   of   Albert    S.   and    Susan    Marshall,   died 

Aug.  21,  1877,  aged  19  years,  10  months. 


300  Liinenbjirs:  North  Burial  Ground. 


'<b 


In  memory  of  Airs.  Molly  Marshall,  wife  of  Mr.  Jacob 
Marshall,  who  died  Aug.  31,  1804,  in  the  59th  year 
of  her  age. 

Nancy,  wife  of  Samuel  Marshall,  died  Feb.  13,  1861, 
Mt.  58. 

Mr.  Nathan   Marshall,  who  died  Aug.  9th,  1811,  aged  23 

years. 

Short  was  thy  journey'  through  this  vale  of  tears, 
Painful  was  thy  exit  from  this  world  of  care, 
But  heaven  l)eyond  the  opening  cloud  appears. 
And  joys  eternal  shall  attend  thee  there. 

Olive  Marshall,  died  July  6,  1811,  aged  25  3'ears. 

Yet  kindred  breasts  regret  her  early  end, 
And  mourn  a  loveU^  daughter,  sister,  friend; 
Submissive,  fond,  affectionate,  dear. 
Her  memory's  nurtured  by  a  tender  tear. 

Polly,  wife  of  Jacob  Marshall,  died  April  26,  1869,  JEt. 
84  years,  7  months,  20  days. 

Thou  art  only  gone  before,  dear  mother, 
A  hopeful,  loving,  but  short  adieu. 

Rachel,  wife  of  Timothy  Marshall,  died  of  small-pox  Nov. 
15,  1849,  Mt.  60. 

Samuel  Marshall,  3d,  died  April  12,  1863,  yEt.  59  years, 
11  months. 

Children  of  Samuel  and  Nancy  Marshall:  Lydia  B.,  died 
Aug.  30,  1853,  Mt.  19  years,  8  months,  23  days;  Si- 
las W.,  died  Feb.  17,  1851,  .-Ft.  12  years,  10  months; 
Charles  E.,  died  Dec.  4,  1862,  Mt.  22  years.  A  mem- 
ber of  Co.  E,  33d  Regt.  Mass.  Vols.,  at  Fairfax,  Va. 

In  memory  of  Mr.  Samuel  Marshall,  who  died  July  17, 
1841,  in  his  73d  year. 

In  memor}^  of  Mr.  Samuel  Marshall,  who  departed  this 
life  June  6,  1812,  in  the  71st  year  of  his  age.  Bom 
in  Billerica;   moved  to  Lunenburg  1778-79. 

Mrs.  Sarah,  relic  of  David  Marshall,  died  April  1,  1848, 
Mt.  73. 


Lunenburg  North  Burial  Ground.  301 

No  days  of  suffering  wait   thee  now, 
Or  sleepless  nights  hang  on  thy  brow, 
For  God,  we  trust,  did  take  thee  home, 
To  dwell  forever  near  his  throne. 
In  memory  of  Mrs.  Sarah   Marshall,  wife  of  Samuel  Mar- 
shall, who  departed  this  life  Jan.  18,  1811,  in  the  68th 
year  of  her  age. 
Susie  A.,  dau.  of  Albert  S.  and   Susan   Marshall,  died  Dec. 

8,  1882,  aged  15  years,  4  months,  6  days. 
Timothy,  son  of  Timothy  Marshall,  died  in  Wisconsin. 
Timothy   Marshall,   died  June  3,   1862,   ^t.  85  years,  18 

days. 
Zachariah  Marshall,  died  Nov.  7,  1891,  aged  83. 

McINTIRE. 
Moses  Mclntire,  died  March  15,  1873,  .^t.  45. 

MEAD. 

Franklin    Mead,    died    Jan.    31,    1871,    .^t.    49    years,    8 

months. 

Husband  and  father,  we  miss  thee. 

Nancy    S.,   wife  of   Franklin    Mead,   died   June    22,    1893, 

aged  72  years,  11  months,  11  days. 

MESSER. 
Mr.  David  Messer,  died  May  9,  1840,  aged  36. 
Mr.  Jonathan  Messer,  died  Feb.  16,  1841,  aged  82. 

MILLS. 
Erected   in   memory  of  Elizabeth   Mills,   who  died   Aug.  3, 
1816,  .^t.  31. 

Erected  l)y  her  brother,  John  Mills. 

MITCHELL. 

Maria   L.,    wife  of  Rev.  R.  Mitchell,   died   April   16,    1870, 

MX..  50. 

NEWHALL. 

Mary   Ann   Newhall,  died   May   8,  1880,   .^t.  72  years,  8 
months,  13  da3's. 


302  Lunenburg  North  Burial  Ground. 

Samuel    Newhall,    died    July    28,    1863,    ^t.   60  years,    6 

months. 

NEWSOME. 

Mary    Ann,    wife  of   Robert    Newsome,    and    daughter    of 

Thomas  and  Mary  Ann  VVilHams,  died  Sept.  12,  1866, 

^t.  40. 

NEWTON. 

Martha   A.,  widow  of  E.  L.  Newton,   late  of  North   Wey- 
mouth, died  May  5,  1857,  .45t.  36  years,  8  months. 

OAKMAN. 

In  memory  of  Capt.  Amos  Oakman,  who  died  June  17th, 

1805,  aged  47. 
In   memory  of  Mrs.  Pilvina   Oakman,  relic  of  Capt.  Amos 
Oakman,  who  died  Dec.  1st,  1814,  aged  48  years. 
She's  gone  where  sorrow  is  no  more, 

And  cares  forever  fled, 
She's  gone  where  unions   never  dissolved, 
She  is  numbered  with  the  dead. 

If  pietv  on  earth  ensures 

A  residence  in  heaven, 
And  penitence  a  pardon  claim, 

Her  sins  are  sure  forgiven. 

PAGE. 

Enoch    Page,    died   Jan.    12,    1874,    JEt.   87.     His    wives: 

Betsy  Page,  died  June  6,  1811,  Mt.  22;   Hannah  Page, 

died  Jan.  2,  1828,   Mt.  47;   Sarah    Page,   died   Dec.   2, 

1863,  ^t.  81. 

PALMER. 

Almira,    wife   of  Philip   Palmer,   died  Juh'   30,  1884,   aged 

79  3^ears,  9  months,  21  days. 
Phili])  Palmer,  died  Nov.  8,  1873,  ^t.  82  years,  10  months. 

PARKER. 
Levi  Parker,  son  of  Nathaniel   and^  Sarah    Parker,  died  at 
New  York  city  Dec.  16,  1862,  M\.  28  years,  3  months, 
26  days. 


Lunenburg  North  Burial _  Ground.  303 

He  bade  his  friends  a  last  adieu. 

On  the  battlefield  to  roam. 
He  died  like  a  soldier  brave  and  true, 

Far  awaj-  from  his  native  home. 
A  member  of  Co.  B,  53d  Kegt.,  Mass.  Vols. 

PARKS. 
Archibald   Parks,   b.  in   Glasgow,  Scotland,   died   Feb.   12, 

1881,  Mt.  75  3'ears,  1  month,  7  daj-s. 
David    Parks,  (New  Brunswick,)   died  Aug.  17,  1880,  Mt. 

35  years,  5  months,  7  days. 
Margaret   Parks,   b.   in   Frederickton,    N.  B.,   died   May  2, 
1881,  .^t.  79  years,  10  months,  22  days. 

PATCH. 
Eunice,    wife    of    Adoniram    Patch,    died    May    29,    1839, 

^t.  68. 

PATTERSON. 

Dea.  James  Patterson,  died  June  30,  1865,  ^t.  83. 

Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord. 
In  memory  of  Capt.  James   Patterson,  who  departed   this 
life  Nov.  11th,  1787,  in  the  34th  year  of  his  age. 
From  stately  palaces  we  must  remove, 
The  narrow  lodgings  of  a  grave  to  prove; 
Leave  the  fair  train  and  the  light,  gilded  room, 
To  lie  alone  benighted  in  the  tomb ; 
God  only  is  immortal,  man  not  so, 
Life  to  be  paid  upon  demand  we  owe. 

Erected  in   memory  of  Mrs.  Lucy    Patterson,  wife  of  John 
Patterson,  who  died  3  Aug.,  1807,  aged  43  years. 
Farewell,  my  partner,  children,  all, 
For  God,  my  Savior,  doth  me  call ; 
Prepare  to  meet  on  Canaan's  shore, 
Where  parting  hours  are  known  no  more. 

Miriam,  wife  of  James  Patterson,  and  daur.  of  Abijah 
Hovey,  born  October,  1758,  died  May,  1805. 

Sarah,  wife  of  James  Patterson,  and  daughter  of  the  late 
Josiah  Stearns,  died  Nov.  17,  1843,  J^t.  59  years,  9 
months. 


304  Lunenburg  North  Burial  Ground. 

PEABODY. 

John  Peabody,  died  Jan.  3,  1851,  ^t.  88  years,  5  months, 

10  days. 
Joseph    Peabod}',    son   of  John   and    Polly    Peabody,   died 

Nov.  5,  1858,  .^t.  56  years. 
Lydia  Howard,  wife  of  Oliver  Peabody. 
Mary  E.    Peabod3',   daur.   of  Joseph   and   Mary    Peabody, 
died   Oct.  21,  1848,  Mt.  18  years,  9  months,  13  days. 
When  God  removes  the  life  he  gave, 
And  beauty  falls  into  the  grave, 
Angels  of  mercy  calm  the  Ijreast, 
And  point  the  way  to  sacred  rest. 

Mary  (Lawrence),  wife  of  Joseph  Peabody,  died  Feb.  22, 
1867,  JE\..  64  years. 

Oliver  Peabody,  son  of  John  and  Polly  Peabody. 

In  memory  of  Miss  Sally,  daur.  of  John  and  Polly  Pea- 
body, died  May  18,  1814,  Mt.  20.  Also  Polly,  daur. 
of  John  and  VoViy  Peabody,  died  Oct.  8,  1801,  in  her 
10th  year. 

Polly,  wife  of  John  Peabody,  died  April  26,  1853,  ^t.  90 
years,  1  month. 

PECKHAM. 

Eliza  Ann,  daur.  of  Rev.  S.  H.  Peckham,  died  Sept.  21, 
1854,  Mt.  21  years,  6  months. 

To  her  Christ  was  precious. 

Rev.    Samuel    H.    Peckham,   died   Jan.    23,    1864,    vEt.   70 

years,  4  months. 

He  that  belie veth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live. 
Mrs.   Sarah   C,  wife  of  Rev.  S.  H.  Peckham,  died   Dec.   5, 

1858,  yEt.  62  years,  8  months. 

"The  righteous  shall  be  in  everlasting  remembrance." 

PIERCE. 
Drusilla,    wife    of   Dr.    John    Pierce,    died    Feb.    15,    1819, 
Mt.  34. 


Lunenburg  North  Burial  Ground.  305 

Dr.  John  Pierce,  died  March  13,  1848,  JEt.  63. 

Rev.  John  Pierce,  a  minister  of  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of 
God,  which  brought  salvation  to  all  men,  pastor  of 
the  First  Universalist  society-  in  Lunenburg.  Pie  died 
Aug.  31,  1840,  aged  26  years. 

He  died  in  youth,  but  his  life  was  a  verification  of  the  nuixini, 
"They  live  long  who  live  well."  His  highest  eulogy*  is  written  in 
the  hearts  of  those  to  whom  he  ministered,  and  the  blessed  power 
of  the  gospel  of  which  he  preached  to  others  was  manifested  in  his 
own  life,  and  in  the  peace-giving  influence  which  it  shed  around  his 
dying  pillow. 

Erected  by  the  Universalists  of  Lunenburg. 

In  memory   of   Mrs.   Sarah    Pierce,   wife  of  Mr.  Jonathan 

Pierce,    who    died    Dec.    4th,    1814,    J^t.    66.     On    the 

srfme    day,   Mrs.    Sarah    Caldwell,    wife    of   Mr.  Jacob 

Caldwell,   and  daughter  of   Mr.  Jonathan    Pierce  and 

Sarah,   his    wife,  who    died    on    the    same    daj^  of  her 

mother,  .^t.  32. 

In  hopes  of  endless  bliss  on  the  heavenU"  shore, 
They  patiently  endured  their  pain  till  they  should  feel  no  more; 
Then  from  this  scene  of  sorrow  they  took  their  flight  awa^- 
In  the  chariot  of  God,  up  to  immortal  day. 

In  memory  of  Mr.  Stephen  Pierce,  who  died  30th  Julj-, 
1809,  in  the  30  year  of  his  age. 

Sleep  on,  my  dear  husband,  all  my  sighs  and  tears  will  not 
awake  you;  I  must  wait  until  my  turn,  and  then  I'll  come  to  meet 
you.     I  mourn  thy  loss  in  silent  submission. 

POLLARD. 

Mrs.   Betsey   (Gipson)    F^oUard,   wife  of  Dexter,   died   Aug. 

15,  1875,  JEt.  76  years,  11  months,  26  days. 
Dexter    Pollard,   died   March   28,  1887,  aged   88  years,  10 

months,  20  days. 

PONS. 

Rev.  Thomas  H.  Pons,  died  Ajjril  6,  1876,  ^t.  63  years, 
10  months.     Buried  in  Boston. 


BOG  Lunoibiirg  North  Burial  Ground. 

PRATT. 

Susannah    L.,    wife    of   Thomas    D.    Pratt,   died    Dec.    22, 

1885,  aged  77. 
Thomas  D.  Pratt,  Ijorn  Oct.  81,  1807,  died  July  20,  1868. 

PRIEST. 

Josiah   Priest,  died  Oct.  7,  1861,  .-Et.  73  years,  8  months. 
Oh !   sa3'  not,  when  the  aged  die, 

And  fade  from  mortal  life  away, 
That  lightly  parts  affection's  tie. 

Or  brief  the  tear  that  dews  th\'  clay. 

Lydia,  wife  of  Josiah   Priest,  died   April  27,  1850,  vEt.  61 
years,  9  mcmths. 

Asleep  in  josus!    blessed  sleep! 
From  which  none  ever  wake  to  weep ; 
Asleep  in  Jesus!   Oh,  how  sweet, 
To  be  for  such  a  slumljer  meet. 

PROCTOR. 
Mary   R.,    wife   of  John   R.    Proctor   of  Charlestown,   died 
July  6,  1865,  JEt.  63. 

To  my  mother.     "Only  gone  before." 
Erected  by  her  son,  J.  R.  Proctor. 

PUTNAM. 

In  memory  of  Mrs.  Betty   Putnam,  the   wife  of  Capt.  Eli. 

jah    Putnam,   who    died    Nov.    10,    1785,   in    the    26th 

year  of  her  age. 
Charlotte  (Harrington),  wife  of  James  Putnam,  died  June 

24,  1891,  aged  80  years,  0  months,  3  days. 

Daniel   Putnam,   died  July  24,   1831,  in   the  59th  year  of 

his  age. 
Daniel    P^utnam,    died    Feb.    4,   1898,    aged    95    years,   11 

months,  26  days. 
James  Putnam,  May   20,  1885,  aged   75  years,  3  months, 

10  days. 
Mary,  relic  of  Daniel  Putnam,  died  July  16,  1856,  aged  82. 


Lunoibiu'g  North  Burial  Ground.  307 

Miss    Nancy    F.    Putnam,   daur.   of   Samuel    and    Hannah 

Putnam,  died  Sept.  14,  1836,  .4^:t.  22. 

Erected  by  George  D.  Farwell. 

In  memory  of  Deacon  Samuel  Putnam,  who  departed  this 

life  Jan.  2d,  177v5,  aged  52  years. 
Samuel    Putnam,   liorn  in    Fitchburg    Sept.   5,   1785,   died 

July    30,    1860,    .F:t.   74    years,    10    months,   25  days; 

Hannah   Kimball,  his   wife,  Ijorn  in   Fitchburg  Aug.  2, 

1780,  died  Feb.  19,  1866,  ^t.  79  years,  6  months,  17 

days. 

RICHARDSON. 

Ellen  M.,  daughter  of  Joel   and   Hannah   Richardson,   died 

Sept.  2,  1899,  aged  60. 
Hannah  J.,  wife  of  Joel  B.  Richardson,  died  April  8,  1890, 

aged  81  years,  7  months,  5  da3's. 
Joel   B.  Richardson,   died   (3ct.  22,  1890,  aged   83  years,  7 

months,  7  days. 
Mrs.    Polly    W.,    wife   of  Josiah    V.    Richardson,    died  June 

19,  1849,  .'Et.  64. 

RIPLEY. 
Harriet   E.,   wife   of   Dustin    Ripley,   and   dautr.    of  Luther 

Fuller,  died  May  27,  1867,  Mt.  30  years,  4  months. 

ROBINSON. 

Benjamin  Robinson,  died  Dec.  19,  1866,  aged  87  years. 
A  kind  husband,  father  and  friend. 

Betsey,  wife  of  Ebenezer  Robinson,  died  June  14,  1876,  .Ft. 

90  years. 
Ebenezer  Robinson,  died  July  20,  1852,  JEt.  73. 
Elizabeth    (Dodge),    widow    of    Benjamin    Robinson,    died 

Aug.  10,  1879,  .F:t.  94  years,  5  months,  24  days. 
George  W.  Robinson,  died  in  Wendell  July   18,  1882,  aged 

76  years,  3  months,  10  days.     Buried  in  Lunenburg. 
Miss  Hannah  Robinson,  died  Nov.  13,  1838,  .F:t.  26. 
Mary  Robinson,  died  June  20,  1853,  yEt.  33. 


808  Liinenhurg  North  Burial  Ground. 

Sarah    C,   wife    of  George    W.    Robinson,    died    Aug.    30, 

1854,  .^t.  52. 
William  H.  Robinson,  died  April  13,  1850,  Mt.  23. 

ROCKWOOD. 

In  menior}^  of  Mr.  John  Rockwood,  "who  died  April  12, 
1831,  ^t.  52  years. 

SANDERSON. 

Abijah  Sanderson,  died  June  18,  1861,  J^t.  66  years. 
Dea.  Abraham  Sanderson,  died  Sept.  18,  1848,  aged  60. 

"  For  him  to  live  was  Christ,  to  die  was  gain." 

Abraham  H.,  son  of  Abraham  and  Sarah  H.  Sanderson, 
died  Oct.  9,  1839,  J^t.  23. 

How  vain  is  all  beneath  the  skies, 

How  transient  every  earthly  bliss, 
How  slender  all  the  fondest  ties 

That  bind  us  to  a  world  like  this. 

Betsey  Sanderson,  died  Jan.  4,  1867,  Mt.  82. 

In  memory  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Sanderson,  wife  of  Mr.  Ja- 
cob Sanderson,  who  died  Sept.  4th,  1794,  in  the  52d 
year  of  her  age. 

Sacred  to  the  memor}'  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Sanderson,  who 
died  Feb.  7,  1821,  in  the  77th  year  of  her  age. 

She  was  a  virtuous  woman  and  a  tender  mother,  and  esteemed 
by  her  friends. 

Elizabeth  1'.,  daur.  of  Abraham  and  Sarah  H.  Sanderson, 
died  June  26,  1861,  Mt.  38. 

"  Asleep  in  Jesus." 

In  memory  of  Mr.  Isaac  Sanderson,  who  died  March 
20th,  1814,  in  the  76th  year  of  his  age. 

He  was  a  tender  husband,  an  affectionate  parent,  and  his  last 
sickness  he  bore  with  Christian  patience  and  submission,  and 
resigned  himself  to  death,  in  the  confident  expectation  of  the  par- 
tloning  mercy  of  God  through  the  Redeemer. 

He's  gone  beyond  this  lower  sky, 
Up  where  eternal  ages  roll, 


Luiiciihitr<r  NortJi  Burial  Ground.  309 


<b 


Where  solid  pleasures  never  die, 

And  fruits  of  immortality  feast  the  soul. 

Mr.  Jacob  Sanderson,  died  Fel).  9,  1829,  .-Et.  87. 
Receive,  O  earth,  his  faded  form. 

In  thy  cold  hosom  let  it  lie, 
Safe  let  it  rest  from  every  storm, 
Soon  must  it  rise  to  no  more  die. 

[Note.  Aliraham  Sanderson,  the  father  of  Jacob,  was  horn  in  Watertown 
in  1711.  He  settled  in  Liinenlnirfi  in  173.''..  and  married  Patience  Smith. — 
E.   H.   M.] 

Jesse  Sanderson,  died  Jan.  17,  1891,  a^ed  87. 

Mr.  Jonathan  Sanderson,  died  April  19,  1841,  JE\.  75. 

Blessed  is  the  memory  of  the  just. 
Alarilla,  wife  of  Jesse  Sanderson,  died  May  23,  1868,  Mt. 
61  years,  10  months. 

She  lived  to  make   others   happy,  and  died  in  the  hope  of  a   j^lo- 
rious  iminortalit\'. 
In  memory  of  Mrs.  Martha  Sanderson,  wife  of  Mr,  Jacob 

Sanderson,  died  April  19,  1817,  .Et.  69. 
Mrs.  Mehitable  Sanderson,  died  Sept.  IS,  1847,  Mt.  76. 
Loved  wife  and  mother,  take  th\'  rest. 
Where  pain  and  parting  never  come; 
Oh,  may  we  find  among  the  blest. 
With  thee,  a  bright,  eternal  home. 

Sarah   H.,   wife  of  Dea.    Abraham   Sanderson,  died   (3ct.  1, 
1872,  JEt.  82. 
'■  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his  saints." 

SEYMOUR. 

Frances    A.    Se^^nour,   daur.   of   Thomas    and    Mary    Sey- 
mour, died  Jan.  31,  1866,  .Et.  54. 
Mrs.  Mary,  wife  of  Thomas  Seymour,  died  June  24,  1849, 

Mt.  67 

.•\sleep  in  Jesus. 

Thomas  Seymour,  died  March  9,  1848,  A^X.  11. 

SIMONDS. 
George  S.  Simonds,  son  of  Sylvester  and  Sarah   Simonds, 
died  Alarch  7,  1868,  .-Et.  23  years,  9  months. 


310  Lunenburg  North  Burial  Ground. 

Nabby  Simonds,  wife  of  Sylvester  Simonds,  died  Jan.  31, 

1864,  ^t.  81. 
Sarah    Simonds,    died    Jan.    24,    1883,    JEt.    76    years,    1 

month. 
Sylvester  Simonds,  died  July  14,  1871,  Mt.  70. 

SMAILES. 
Betsey,  wife  of  Isaac  Smailcs,  died   Aug.  5,  1873,  JEt.  73 
years,  6  months. 

Isaac  Smailes,  died  July  25,  1862,  JEt.  75. 

SMITH. 

Emery  Smith,  passed  away   Nov.  25,  1877,  ^t.  73  years, 
3  months,  13  days. 

Gone  to  the  summer  land,  where  souls  immortal  dwell. 
Gone  to  sing  with  the  angels  and  Father,  fare  thee  well. 
Phebe,  wife  of  Emery  Smith,  died  March  8,  1879,  ^t.  77 
years,  5  months,  9  days. 
She  rests  with  the  dawning  light,  upon  the  summer  shore, 
With  kindred  spirit,  pure  and  bright,  blest,  but  gone  before. 
Father.     Darius   Smith,  died  Jan.  14,  1876,  .^t.  68  years, 

6  months,  8  da^-s. 
Mother.     Rosanna  E.,  wife  of  Darius  Smith,  died  Aug.  28, 
1869,  ^t.  51  years,  9  months,  20  days. 

SNOW. 

Amos    Snow^    died    in    Brookline    Aug.    4,    1866,    ^t.    69 

years,  6  months,  7  days. 
Ann   Maria,  wife  of  Reuben  W.  Snow,  died   May  4,  1877, 

JEt.  58. 
In  memory   of  Mrs.   Anna,   relic  of  Mr.   Silas  Snow,   died 
Sept.  10,  1834,  ^t.  92. 

O  glorious  hope,  O  glorious  trust, 
That  the  last  trump  shall  raise  the  dust. 
[Note.     Anna  (Farvveli)  Snow  from  Hiirvard.] 

Edmund  Snow,  died   in   Lunenburg  Feb.  7,  1867,   JEt.  60 
years,  7  months,  1  day. 


Lunenburg  North  Burial  Grou>id.  311 

In  memory  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Stephens)  Snow,  the  widow 
of  Mr.  William  Snow,  who  departed  this  life  Oct.  31, 
1780,  in  the  73d  year  of  her  age. 

[Note.     William    Snow    of    \Vol)urii     hoiijjht     in     I.iiiuiiburj;,    1732,    of    Israel 
Kccd,   who  bought  the  govtrumciit  firaiit   to  the   town   (jf    Wobnrii.] 

Elizabeth,    wife    of   Capt.    Timothy    Snow,   died    June    23, 

1864,  JEt.  14,. 
Jacob  Snow,  son   of  Timothy  and   Lucy   Snow,   died  July 

21,  1829,  in  the  25th  year  of  his  age. 
Jacob  Caldwell,  son  of  K.  W.  and  Ann  Maria  Snow,  died 

June  23,  1864,  .^t.  22. 
James   P.  Snow,   died   at   Charlestown,    Mass.,    March   17, 

1863,  JEt.  53. 
John    Snow,    son    of   Timothy-    and    Lucy    Snow,    died    in 

Townsend  x\ov.  26,  1846,  JEt.  43. 
Mrs.     Lucy     (Caldwell)     Snow,     wife    of    Capt.     Timothy 
Snow,  died  Jan.  15,  1818,  aged  33  years. 
Farewell,  my  partner,  children,  all, 

\ly  God,  my  Savior,  doth  me  call; 
Prepare  to  meet  on  Cana^m's  shore, 
Where  partings  are  known  no  more. 
Lucy   C,  died   Oct.  24,  1841,   aged   21   years;   and   Betsey 

G.,  died  Oct.  12,  1841,  aged  16  years. 
Reuben   Walker  Snow,   died   Oct.  4,  1887,   aged   67  years, 

11  months,  4  da3's. 
Ruth  Snow,  wife  of  Silas  Snow,  died  Jul}'   17,  1860,  ^t. 
92  years,  4  months. 

Cheerful  gave  her  being  up  and  went 

To  share  the  hol_v  rest,  that  of  a  life  well  spent. 

In   memory   of    Lieut.   Silas    Snow,    who    died   Sept.    16th, 

1807,  in  his  75th  year. 
Silas  Snow,  died  Jan.  21,  1856,  JEt.  90  years,  8  months. 

Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord. 
Capt.  Timothy  Snow,  died  April  20,  1853,  JEt.  73. 
Timothy    Snow,    died    in    Westficld    June,    1874,    Ait.    57 

years,  5  months. 


312  Lniienbiirsr  North  Burial  Ground. 


'^:> 


In   memory  of  Mr.  William   Snow,  who  departed   this  life 

June  15,  1774,  aged  67  years. 
William   O.   Snow,   died   Dee.   25,    1894,   aged   70  years,   4 

months. 

SPALDING. 

Arnold,  son  of  Henry  and  BetvSey  Spaulding,  died  of  small- 
pox Dee.  23,  1849,  ^^t.  16  years,  6  months. 

Betsey  Spaulding,  died  April  8,  1856,  .^t.  45  years,  9 
months. 

Eliza,  wife  of  Peter  L.  Spaulding,  died  Mareh  3,  1869, 
JEt.  56. 

Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart,  for  they  shall  see  God. 

Henry  W.  Spaulding,  died  Feb.  19,  1856,  .^t.  44  years,  8 

months. 
Mrs.    Lucy,    wife    of  Peter    L.   Spaulding,    died    Sept.    11, 

1833,  JEt.  26. 
Marcus     M.    Spaulding,    member    of    Co.    C,    16th    Regt., 

Mass.    Vols.,    died    at    Washington,    D.    C,    Nov.    10, 

1862,  JEt.  23  years,  10  months. 

For  his  country  he  fought,  in  her  service  he  died, 
Far  from  loved  friends  in  his  manhood  died; 
Then  pause,  gentle  reader,  and  drop  over  his  tomb 
A  tear  for  the  mourners  in  their  anguish  and  gloom ; 
We  read  his  name  softlj'  in  accents  of  love, 
And  hope  in  the  future  to  meet  him  above. 

Peter  L.  Spaulding,  died  March  5,  1879,  ^t.  74. 

Capt.  Thomas  Spalding,  died  Oct.  15,  1844,  JEt.  52. 

Walter,  died  Aug.  20,  1849,  Mi.  4  years,  3  months;  Or- 
phan S.,  died  Aug.  25,  1849,  JEt.  1  year,  10  months; 
Eliza  Ann,  died  Sept.  4,  1849,  JEt.  6  years,  3  months; 
children  of  Henry  and  Betsey  Spaulding. 

STAHL. 

Albert  T.  vStahl,  died  March  16,  1892,  aged  45  years,  8 
months,  12  days. 


Lnneiiburz  North  Buna/  Ground.  313 


'd> 


Dora  Louisa,  wife  of  A.  T.  Stahl,  daur.  of  Thomas  and 
Louisa  Young,  died  Sept.  26,  1871,  ^t.  22  years,  7 
months,  22  days. 

STANLEY. 

Mrs.  Ruth,  wife  of  Joshua  Stanley,  died  May  17,  1863, 
yEt.  84. 

STEARNS. 

This  monument  erected  to  memory  of  Col.  Abijah  Stearns, 
who  departed  this  life  Nov.  the  6th,  1783,  in  the  59th 
j'^ear  of  his  age. 

When  Aou  this  monument  behold, 
Where  lies  my  mouldering  dust, 
Remember  you  are  doomed  to  die, 

And  own  the  sentence  just ; 
Your  bodies  must  return  to  dust, 

To  their  original, 
A  righteous  sentence  past  1)3'  God 
For  our  first  parents'  fall. 
[Note.     He  was  from  Watertown. — E.  H.  M.]^ 

In  memorj'  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Stearns,  the  consort  of  Dea. 
-    William  Stearns,  who  cheerfully  departed  this  life  Feby. 
the  25th,  1784-,  in  the  63d  year  of  her  age. 

Blessed   are  y^  dead   that  die  in  the   Lord;    thej'   rest   from  their 
labors  and  the  reward  of  their  works  do  follow. 

Erected  to  the  memory  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Mr. 
Levi  Stearns,  who  died  Oct.  10,  1810,  .^t.  42  years. 

The  mortal  remains  of  the  Hon.  Josiah  Stearns  are  depos- 
ited here.  Having  discharged  the  obligations  of  a 
citizen  and  magistrate  with  integrity,  prudence  and 
fidelity,  and  performed  the  duties  of  a  husband,  par- 
ent, counsellor  and  friend  with  faithfulness,  kindness 
and  affection,  and  humbly  endeavored  to  live  in  the 
exercise  of  piety,  faith,  hope  and  charity,  lie  calmly 
closed  his  mortal  existence,  in  the  hope  of  a  happv 
immortalit}'  through  the  mercy  of  God  by  Jesus  Clirist, 
April  7,  1822,  at  the  age  of  75. 


314  Liincnburo;  NortJi   Burial  Ground. 

Sacred  in  memory  of  Mr.  Levi  Stearns,  who  died  Dec.  25, 
1810,  Mt.  45. 

O,  ye  whose  cheek  the  tear  of  ijity  stains. 
Draw  near,  with  pious  reverence  attend; 

Here  Hcs  the  loving  husband's  dear  remains, 
A  tender  father,  a  generous  friend. 

Miss  Mary  Stearns,  daur.  of  Dea.  William  Stearns,  died 
28  Sept.,  1800,  in  the  50th  year  of  her  age. 

Priscella,  wife  of  Thomas  Stearns,  and  dautr.  of  Charles 
and  Hannah  Gushing,  born  June  6,  1779,  died  March 
13,  1866. 

In  memory  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Stearns,  the  wife  of  Col.  Abi- 
jah  Stearns,  who  departed  this  life  on  the  4th  of 
Septr.,  1782,  in  the  51st  year  of  her  age. 

How  loved,  how  valued  once,  avails  thee  not, 
To  whom  related,  or  by  whom  Ijegot; 
A  heap  of  dust  doth  remain  (jf  thee, 
'Tis  all  thou  art  and  all  the  proud  shall  be. 
[Note.     Sarah  Heywood,  a  native  of  I^niunljiirg  ] 

In    memory    of  Susanna    Stearns,    daur.   of   Capt.    Josiah 

Stearns    and   Molly,   his    wife,   died    vSept.    29th,   1884, 

J^t.  12  years,  5  months,  23  days. 
Thomas  Stearns,   son   of  Josiah   and    Mary  Stearns,   born 

Sept.  8,  1778,  died  Nov.  13,  1826. 
In  memory  of  Dea.  William   Stearns,  who  died   10th  Juh', 

1792,  in  the  75th  year  of  his  age. 

My  flesh  shall  slumber  in  the  ground 
Till  the  last  trumpet's  joyful  sound, 
Then  burst  the  chains  with  sweet  surprise. 
And  in  my  Savior's  image  rise. 
[Note.    He  was  from   Watertown. — K.   H.  M.] 

STEVENS. 

BetscA'  W.  Marshall,  widow  of  Otis  Stevens,  died  March 
18,  1881,  .'1^:t.  83  years,  8  months,  15  days.  (Buried 
a  little  south  of  David  Marshall's  lot.) 


Liuieuburg  North  Burial  Ground.  315 

STEWART. 
Joseph    Stewart,    died    April    26,    1876,    yEt,   65    3'ears,   6 
months,  12  days. 

STICKNEY. 

Miss  Mehitable  Stickney,  \Yho  died  Sept.  11,  1820,  JEt.  42. 
Yet  kindred  breasts  regret  her  earh-  end, 
And  mourn  a  lovely  daughter,  sister,  friend. 
Submissive,  fond,  affectionate,  dear. 
Her  memorj^'s  nurtured  by  a  tender  tear. 
In   memory   of   Mr.   Stephen  Sticknej^   who  departed   this 
life  March  23d,  1782,  in  the  77th  year  of  his  age. 
Preserve,  O  grave,  inviolate,  thy  trust, 
Till  life  divine  reanimates  this  dust. 
Dea.  Stephen  Stickney,  died  Oct.  26,  1838,  aged  95;   Doro- 
thy, his  wife,  died  Feb.  22,  1834-,  aged  84  years. 

STONE. 

Benjamin  F.  Stone,  died   May  19,  1896,  aged   94  3^ears,  4 

months. 
Mary   H.,  wife  of  Benjamin  F.  Stone,  died   Dec.    17,  1865, 

^t.  61. 

Is  it  nothing  to  you,  all  ye  that  pass  by  ? 

SWIFT. 

Bere  Cyntha   Morse,   widow   of  David   Swift,   died   March 

21,  1850,  JEt.  86. 
Mr.  David  Swift,  died  June  17,  1830,  ^t.  74. 
David  Swift,  Jr.,  died  Sept.  17,  1822,  ^t.  34  years. 
Henrietta,   daur.   of  David   and   Bere  Cyntha  Swift,   born 

Nov.,  1794,  died  April,  1861. 

TAYLOR. 

In  memory   of  the  Widow   Betty   Ta3'lor,  who  died  Sept. 

1st,  1801,  aged  77  years. 
Erected  in  memory  of  Lieut.  Caleb  Taylor,  who  suddenly 

departed  this  life  Aug.  27th,  A.  D.  1791,  aged  67. 


81G  Litiieubi/ro;  N^orth  Burial  Ground. 


'<b 


By  honesl  industry  he  sought  to  live, 
Acquired  wherewith  to  pjiy  and  sonic  to  ji;ive, 
And  a  goodh'  portion  to  his  heirs; 
His  character  an  honest  livery  wears, 
Nor  fixed  WMth  wild  ambition,  but  sedate, 
He  lived  respected  both  by  church  and  state; 
A  serious  Christian's  dignified  njune 
Completes  the  character  our  friend  doth  claim. 
Ill  inemory  of  Lieut.  David  Taylor,  who  deceased  Jan.  20, 

1789,  aged  69  years. 
Erected   in    memory  of  Margaret   Taylor,  widow  of  Calelj 

Taylor,  died  March  7,  1842,  Mt.  78. 
Phebe  L.  (j.  Taylor,  wife  of  Augustus  Taylor,  died    March 
13,  1878,  .^t.  34  years,  8  months,  13  days. 

Passed   on.     .\  place  is  vacant  in    our  home   which   never  can  be 
filled. 
Erected    for    Mrs.   Susanna    Taylor,    wife  of   Lieut.   Caleb 
Taylor;   she  departed   this  life  Sept.  25,  A.  D.  1789,  in 
the  66th  year  oi  her  age. 

THAYER. 

Mrs.  Tamar,  wife  of  Mr.  Stephen  W.  Thayer,  died 30, 

1827,  ^t.  20. 

THURSTON. 

Elizabeth  Thurston,   died  June  9,    1873,   J^t.   80  years,  9 
months,  25  da\^s.     (Buried  in  New  Hampshire.) 

TINKHIM. 
Mrs.    Abigail,    wife    of  J.    Tinkhim,    died    July    19,    1841, 
M\.  40. 

TOWER. 
George  W.  Tower,  died  Pel).  7,  1867,  vT^t.  56. 

TWEED. 

James  Tweed,  died  Dec.  2,  1849,  aged  79  years,  6  months. 
Calm  on  the  bosom  of  thy  God, 
Fair  spirit,  rest  thee  now, 


LiinenbiiriT  North  Burial  Ground.  317 


-■» 


E'en  while  with  us  thy  footsteps  trod, 
His  seal  was  on  thy  brow. 

Sarah     Tweed,     died     Dec.    19,    1861,    aged    86    3''ears,    6 

months. 

Weep,  weep  no  more  for  me, 

For  I  am  at  rest, 
In  heaven  I  dwell,  in  yonder  sk}'. 
In  .peace  and  happiness. 

TYLER. 
Sophia,  wife  of  Joseph  Tyler,  died  May  19,  1858,  aged  70. 

Weep  for  yourselves,  not  for  me. 

WALKER. 
Charlotte  C,  wife  of  Matthias  Walker,  died  Feb.  3,  1885, 

aged  76. 
Matthias   Walker,   died  Jan.   28,  1877,   ^t.   74  years,   11 

months,  4  days ;   b.  Leeds,  Eng, 

WETHERBEE. 

Erected   in   memory   of  Mr.    Ephrjiim   Wetherbee,    who  de- 
parted this  life  June  12th,  1802,  aged  55. 

He  was  esteemed  a  useful  citizen,  an   honest   man   and  a  sincere 
Christian,  and   sustained   the  weight  of  a  long  and   wasting  disease 
with  exemplary  patience,  fortitude  and  resignation. 
A  wit's  a  feather,  a  chiefs  a  rod, 
kw  honest  man  the  noblest  work  of  God. 
In  memory  of  Mrs.  Kezia  Wetherbee,  wife  of  Mr.  Ephraim 
Wetherbee,    who    died    April    19th,   179v3,   in   the  40th 
year  of  her  age. 

Behold  and  see  as  you  pass  by, 
As  you  are  now  so  once  was  I ; 
As  I  am  now  so  you  must  be, 
Prepare  for  death  and  follow  me. 
Merrick  Wetherbee,  died    May   9th,  1882,  .Kt.  82  years,  4 
months.     (Buried  in  Lunenburg  Ma}^  11.     Died  in  East 
Medwa3^) 


318  Litnenburg  North  Burial  Ground. 

Priscilla,   wife  of  Merrick   Wetherbee,   died   Oct.  29,   1855, 
Mt.  53. 

Thou  art  now  where  oft  on  earth  thy  spirit  longed  to  he. 

WHITE. 

Levi    T.    White,    died    Oct.    19,    1880,    .^t.    80    years,    1 
month,  20  days.     (Buried  in  Fitchburg.) 

WHITING. 
In  memory   of  Miss   Abigail    Alden    Whiting,   daughter  of 

Nathaniel   and   Lydia  Gardner  Whiting,   died   Oct.   23, 

1833,  lEt.  27. 
Alonzo   Whiting,   died    Feb.   2,    1864,   JEt.    28  years.     Ser- 
geant in  Co.  F,  25th  Regt.,  M.  V.  M. 
Miss  Bulah  Whiting,  died  Aug.  8,  1850,  lEt.  84. 
Hannah,   wife  of  Perez   Whiting,  died   Dec.  29,  1871,   M\. 

93  years,  5  months. 

Asleep  in  Jesus,  O,  how  sweet. 
Lucy   Ann,   dautr.   of   Nathaniel  and   Mary   Whiting,   died 

Dec.  11,  1852,  aged  26  years. 
Lydia  Gardner  Whiting,   wife  of  Nathaniel   Whiting,   died 

Feb.  23,  1850,  aged  83. 
Mrs.  Mary   (Adams)    Whiting,  wife  of  Nathaniel   Whiting, 

Jr.,   born   in  Townsend ;    died    Oct.   31,    1881,   ^t.   79 

3^ears,  1  month. 
Nathaniel  Whiting,  died  Feb.  7,  1837,  .^t.  74  years. 
Nathaniel  Whiting,  Jr.,  died  Sept.  8,  1862,  .Ft.  65. 
Perez   Whiting,   died   Aug.   19,    1850,  .^^t.   72.     (Settled   in 

Lunenburg  in  1790,  at  12  years  of  age.) 
Perez    Whiting,   died    Jan.    21,    1893,    aged    81    years,    11 

months,  21  days. 

WHITNEY. 

Abigail  Whitney,  died  May  31,  1826,  aged  82  years. 
Abijah   W'hitney,  born   in   Watertown,   Mass.,  died   Dec.  4, 
1859,  Mt.  83. 


Ltinenbiiror  JSlorth  Biit'ial  Ground.  319 


't> 


Children  of  Abijah  \Vhitne\' :  Charles  S.,  died  April  13, 
1833,  .^t.  17;  Susan,  died  May  27,  1826,  M\.  5;  Jo- 
seph, died  Sept.  19,  1825,  yEt.  2  years,  7  months. 

Benjamin  Whitney,  horn  Oct.,  1814,  died  in  Leominster, 
July,  1878. 

MarN'  E.  (Butters),  wife  of  Benjamin  Whitney,  died  Oct. 
4,  1840,  ^t.  25  3'ears. 

In  memory  of  Mrs.  Relief  (Stearns)  Whitne\',  wife  of  Mr. 
Stephen  Whitney,  who  died  Jan.  17th,  1803,  in  the 
55th  year  of  her  age. 

Retire,  my  friends,  dry  up  A'our  tears, 
Here  I  must  lie  till  Christ  appears. 
Stephen  Whitney,  born  April  25,  1743,  died  April  4,  1833. 

[Note.     Moved  from  W'atertown  to  Luneuburg  1783. — E.   H.  M.] 

In  memory  of  Miss  Susanna  Whitnej^  daughter  of  Ste- 
phen and  Relief  Whitney,  who  died  5  Dec,  1807,  aged 
18  years. 

In  memory-  of  Mr.  Zachariah  Whitney,  who  died  Nov.  14, 
1781,  in  the  70th  year  of  his  age. 

Zachariah  Whitne\^  died  April  9,  1828,  aged  81  years; 
his  wife,  Betsey,  died  Oct.  22d,   1826,  aged  71  years. 

WILLIAMS. 

Miss  Charlotte  Williams,  died  Nov.  28,  1855,  Mt.  24. 

Suddenly    called    away    from    earth,   with    scarceh*    a    moment's 

warning,  she  left  fond   parents,  a  brother  and   sisters,  with  a   large 

circle  of  friends  to  mourn  her  loss. 
Also  a  sister  Harriet,  died  Dec.  25,  1851,  yEt.  13  years,  8 

months. 
Mary   Ann,  wife  of  Thomas   Williams,  died   May  9,  1857, 

Mi..  52. 

No  terror  hath  death  or  the  grave 

To  them  who  believe  in  the  Lord, 
Who  know  the  Redeemer  can  save, 
.\nd  lean  on  the  faith  of  his  Word. 

Thomas  Williams,  died  Jan.  8,  1879,  .Et.  74  years,  11 
months,  6  days. 


320  LjDioibnrg  NortJi  Burial  Ground. 

WILSON. 

Phebe    Wilson,    died     Au^.    6,    187G,    J^A.    91    years,    10 
months,  4  days.     (Buried  in  New  Hampshire.) 

WIvSWELL. 

Mrs.  Betsey,  wife  of  Edward  Wiswell,  died  Jan.  1,  1885, 
MX..  32. 

WITHINGTON. 

Asenath  Pollard,  wife  of  S.  J.  WithinL>ton,  died  May  3, 
1868,  JEt.  69  years,  6  months. 

There  is  sweet  rest  in  heaven. 

WOOD. 

Arad  H.  Wood,  died  July  2,  1890,  aged  84  years,  8 
months,  3  days;  Nancy  Forbes,  wife  of  A.  H.  W^ood ; 
Alseba  Gould,  wife  of  A-  H.  Wood,  died  Aug.  3,  1890, 
aged  77  years,  10  months,  8  days. 

Erected  in  memory  of  Lieut.  David  Wood,  who  departed 
this  life,  in  comfortable  expectation  of  a  better,  the 
4th  of  June,  1796,  in  the  77th  year  of  his  age. 

He   was  a   kind   husband,  a    tender   parent,  an    honest   man   and 
an  exemplary  Christian. 

The  rich,  the  poor,  the  wise,  the  brave, 

Must  all  descend  into  the  grave; 

Hut  the  sweet  remembrance  of  the  just 

Shall  flourish  when  he  sleeps  in  dust. 

David  Wood,  died  Sept.  9,  1866,  Mt.  77. 

Dorcas    Wood,    daughter    of    David    and    Hannah    Wood, 

died  Aug.  2,  1852,  JE\.  69. 
Levi  Wood,  died  April  10,  1871,  M\.  76. 
In   memory   of  Mary,   consort   of    Mr.    Dfivid    Wood,    who 
died  in  1801  in  the  83d  j'^ear  of  her  age. 
See  truth,  love  and  mercy  in  triumph  descending, 

And  Nature  all  glowing  in  Eden's  lull  bloom; 
On  the  cold  cheek  of  death  smiles  and  roses  are  blending, 
And  beauty  immortal  awakes  from  the  tomb. 

Erected  bv  a  son,  who  reveres  her  mcmorv. 


Lwienburg  North  Burial  Ground.  321 

Polly   S.,   wife  of  David   Wood,   died   April   23,   1859,  JEt. 

66  years,  9  months. 
In   memory   of  Mrs.    Sarah    Wood,  wife  of  Mr.   Zephaniah 

Wood,    who  died   23   Dec,   1806,   in   the   50th  year  of 

her  £ige. 
In  memory  of  father  and  mother.    Zephaniah  Wood,  born 

July    4.    1760,   died    July    28,    1835;   Susan    H.    Wood, 

born  July  18,  1771,  died  Feb.  16,  1865. 

WYETH. 

Esther,  wife  of  Jonathan  W^yeth,  died  Feb.  15,  1901,  aged 

95  3-ears,  5  months,  3  days. 
Jonathan    Wyeth,   died    Feb.   5,    1876,   ^t.   73    years,    16 

days.     (Born  in  Groton.     Buried  in  South  yard.) 

WYMAN. 

Betsey    Wyman,    died    Sept.    10,    1847,    J^t.   55    years,   2 
months. 

YORK. 

William    York,  died  June  13,  1876,  .^t.  72;  Joanna  Hale, 
his  wife,  died  Jan.  20,  1850,  ^Et.  43. 

Father  and  Mother. 

YOUNG. 

Louisa,   wife  of  Thomas   Young,   died   Aug.  3,  1898,   aged 

83  years,  11  months,  7  days. 
Mrs.  Mary  Young,  died  March  22,  1814,  yEt.  46. 
Thomas    Young,    died    Dec.    7,    1893,    aged    76    years,    11 

months,  7  da^'^s. 


322  Levi  Goodriclis  Burial  Groii/ui. 


LEVI   GOODRICH'S    BURYING  GROUND,   LUNENBURG, 
NEAR   LEOMINSTER   LINE. 


GOODRICH. 

Betse}',  wife  of  Capt.  Levi   Goodrich,   died   Aug.  29,  1877, 
^t.  85. 

The  way  seems  lone  without  thee  here, 

Sweet  buried  friends  of  mine, 
Without  thy  gentle,  changeless  love, 
That  round  my  path  did  twine. 

Daniel  Goodrich,  died  Aug.  22,  1869,  JEt.  47. 
I  heard  the  voice  of  Jesus  say. 

Come  unto  me  and  rest; 
Lay  down,  thou  weary  one,  lay  down 

Thy  head  upon  my  breast; 
I  came  to  Jesus  as  I  was, 

Weary,  and  worn,  and  sad, 
I  found  in  him  a  resting  place. 

And  he  has  made  me  glad. 

Capt.  Levi  Goodrich,  died  Nov.  9,  1850,  .^t.  70. 
Farewell,  dear  friends,  and  children,  too, 

For  God  has  called  me  home; 
In  a  short  time  he  will  call  for  you, 
Then  3'ou'll  be  glad  to  come. 

Mary  C.  Goodrich,  died  Jan.  5,  1853,  JEt.  24. 

She  sleeps,  she  sleeps ! 
And  the  wild-flower  weeps 
As  it  nods  above  her  grave. 
And  the  bending  tree 
Swings  solemnly, 
With  mournful  wave. 


Thomas  Arnold'' s  Burial  Ground.  323 


THOMAS  ARNOLD'S   PRIVATE   BURYING  GROUND, 

LUNENBURG. 


ARNOLD. 

Nanc3',   wife   of  Thomas  Arnold,   died   Feb.  14-,  1866,  J^X.. 
85  years,  9  months,  14  da3's. 

She  rests  in  heaven. 

Thomas  Arnold,  died  Dec.  14,  1851,  /Et.  69. 

Farewell,  dear  father. 

LITCH. 

Ebenezer  C.  Litch,  died    Feb.  21,  1850,  Mt.  43;   Celia,  his 
daughter,  died  Sept.  13,  1849,  M\.  10  years. 

MOULTON. 
Mrs.   Elizabeth    Ann,    wife  of   Rev.   Horace    Moulton,   for- 

merh'   wife  of  Rev.  Samuel   Estin,  died  in   Oxford  June 

1,  1843,  aged  35. 
Elizabeth   M.,   died   Sept.   28,    1843,   ^t.   6   weeks;    Lydia 

A.,  died   Oct.  25,  1849,  JEt.  6  years,  children  of  E.  C. 

and  Lydia  A.  Litch. 


INDEX. 


Abercrombie,  Dr.  Otis,  107. 

.  Otis  P.,  107. 
Adams  &  Bardeen,  206. 

Clark.  168. 

Henry  B.,  15.  16. 

John,  5. 

fohn  Quincv,  5. 
Albee,  H.  W.,  207. 

&  Sherwin,  209. 
Album  Magazine,  105—107. 
Aldrich.  Edward,  200,  204. 

&  Pond,  19+. 
Allen,  Rev.  George,  101. 

Henrv,  81. 

I.  \V.  &  Co.,  207,  213. 

Robert.  162. 
.\nti-Tobacco  Crusade,  87. 

Journal,  87,  98,  95. 

medal,  93. 

Society,  93.  94. 

tracts,  93. 
Annual  meetings,  6,  12. 
Appleton,  Thomas  H.,  171. 
Arnold  burving-ground,  323. 

J.  W.,  215 
Atherton,  W.  H.,  215. 
Atkinson,  Edward,  212. 
.Austin,  James  B.,  16. 

Bailev,  D.  H.,  192. 

Ebenezer,  8,  10,  11,  15,  16,  39. 

Ebenezer  P.,  16,  189,  194. 

Harrison.  16. 

&  Johnson,  199. 
Baker,'  Charles  P.,  16. 
Baldwin,  Joseph,  178,  182,  197. 

&  Hunt,  188.  193,  194,  197. 

&  Tolman,  179,  180,  182. 

William,  Jr..  208. 
Barber,  William.  215. 
Bardeen,  John  (J..  218,  219. 

W.  S.  &  Co.,  204. 
Barron,  W.  B.,  206. 
Bartlett,  George  B.,  213. 

Gerrv  B.,  41. 

G.  VV.,  215. 
Bateman  &  Parkhurst,  219. 
Baxter,  Wilson,  168. 

22 


Beaman,   Aaron    P.,   176,   188,   188, 
196,  209. 

&  Hutchinson,  196. 

&  Pride,  176. 

&  Sturtevant,  183. 
Beckwith,  Louisa  A.,  111. 
Bell,  James,  74. 
Bennington  Alarm,  30. 
Benton.  Charles  H..  195. 
Bernard.  Prancis,  70. 
Bible.  Hawaiian,  62. 
Bingham,  Hiram.  50,  54,  59,  65. 
Bliss.  Sutton  &  Co.,  206,  210. 
Blood.  Brown  &  Co.,  212. 

Charles  H.,  5.  16. 

Hiram  A.,  206,  210. 

H.  A.  &  Co.,  218. 
Bond.  J.  AI.  &  Co..  197. 
Boutelie,  Kendall.  74. 

&  Livermore,  190.  196,  209. 

Nathaniel  S.,  190,  209. 

S.,  219. 
Boutwell,  George  S.,  81. 
Bowker  &  Atkinson,  192. 

C.  &  C.  A..  208. 

George,  192,  203,  208. 
Bradbury,  James,  85. 
Bradford,  George,  219. 
Brewer,  S.  D.,  207,  212. 
Briggs,  Dr.  Calvin,  85,  134. 
Brigham,  Charles,  179. 

H.  H.,  190. 

&  Prentiss,  179. 
Brooks,  Benjamin,  72. 
Brown,  A.  J.  &  Co.,  194,  203. 

Crehore  &  Co.,  209. 

E.  A..  207. 

John.  161. 

L.  J.,  211.  218. 

Mrs.  Sarah  C,  1(5. 

William  O..  203,  207,  210. 
Brownell,  J.,  215. 
Bruce,  A.  ].,  206. 
Bullock.  Charles  A..  194.  198. 

&  Dudlev,  198. 
Bunnell,  Edwin  P.,  170,  171. 
Fiutman,  Benjamin,  190,  192. 

Benjamin"  &  Co.,  190. 


326 


Index. 


Butterick.  Iv.,  I'll,  LMT),  21'J. 
Buttrick,  Francis,  Jr.,  203. 

Caldwell,  E.  &.  Son.  1  7S,  180,  iSl. 

Store.  166,  172. 

Thomas    C,   11.    178,   174.,   176, 
l'.)0,  201. 
Carleton  &  Carter,   I'JO. 

Ira,  190,  197. 

Ira  &  Co.,  198. 
Carpenter,  D.  M.,  212. 
Carter,  A.  O.,  190,  194-,  214.,  218. 

W.  H.,  199. 
Cemetery  inscriptions.  224-323. 
Chamberlain,  Daniel,  54. 

Huntress  Co.,  160. 
Chapin,  B    P..  110. 
Ciiapman  brothers,  17. 
Chappelle,  Richard,  166. 
Chase,  Mrs.  A    L.,  10. 

B.  P.,  201. 
Chenery,  J.  P.,  173. 
Cheney,  E.  A..  203. 
Chisholm,  E.  H.,  214,  215. 
Choate  &  Hallowell,  200. 

John,  217. 

Rufus,  81,  90. 

Thomas  B..  200,  207,  211. 
Cillev,  Jonathan,  85. 
Clapp,"L.  N.  &  Co.,  207. 
Clark,  Thomas,  198. 

Miss  A.  E.,  212. 
Clay  hills,  153    157. 
Cleaves,  Francis  E  ,  219. 
Clemence,  Richard  H.,  183. 
Clifford,  E.  B  ,  207. 
Coggshall,  H.  F.,  207,  212. 

VV.  G.,  199,  205. 
Colburn,  Henr3'  J.,  14. 

John,  195. 
Coleman  &  Ururv,  221. 
Collester,  F.   M.,'215. 
Collier,  J.  M.,  197. 
Comee,  Leander  P.,  181,  219. 

Mrs.  L.  P..  Ill,  112. 
Conklin,  Rev.  Abram,  10,   12,  16.       • 
Conn,  Reuben  R.,  188,  209,  219,  221. 
Cook.  W.  L.,  201.  207,  208. 
Corwin,  Rev.   lili,  67. 
Cotting,  William  W.,  215. 
Country  Stoix',   184,  187. 
County  of  Linc(jln,  79,  80. 

Washington.  78. 

Webster.  76. 
Court  house,  79. 
Cowden,  David,  23,  24. 

Rev.  David  C,  22,  24. 

Elizabeth,  23. 

lames,  21-24. 

John,  23,  24. 


Cowden,  Margaret,  23. 

Matthew,  22. 

Nathaniel  A.,  38. 

Pollv,  21. 

Robert,  23.  24. 

Samuel,  23,  24. 

Truman  S.,  24. 

William,  22,  24. 
Cowdin,  Angier,  32. 

Experience,  25,  27. 

Hannah,  9,  13,  31,  38. 

J.,  166. 

John,  38. 

Natt,  219. 

Gen.  Robert,  36. 

servants,  32. 

Capt.   Thomas,   8,  9,  13,   19-38, 
72,  74. 
Cragin,  Josephine  E..  122. 
Craige,  David,  22,  23. 

Janet,  21,  24. 

James,  22,  24. 

"John,  22. 

Robert,  22. 
Crane,  W.  A.,  200. 
Crehore  &  Smith,  192,  202. 

W.  A.,  205,  209. 

W.  A.  &  Co.,  207. 
Crocker,  Alvah,  16. 

&  Burbank,  218. 

Phinehas  A.,  173,  174,  176.  190. 
Cross.  A.,  172. 

A.  &  Co.,  172.  173,  191.  197. 

Daniel.    172.  173,  174,  181,  207. 

D.  &  Co.,  178,  201. 

&  Parker,  174. 
Cumings,  Mrs.  L.  W.,  5. 
Cummings,  Mrs.  A.  P.,  65. 
Cunningham,  Nathaniel,  162. 

William,  5. 
Currier,  Fred  A.,  8.  16,  159,  188. 
Gushing,  Mrs.  E.  M.,  10. 

Joseph,  200,  214. 

Joseph  &  Co.,  160,  219. 

William,  174. 
Cuthbert.  George  M.,  207. 
Cutler,  Jonas,  72. 
Cutter, 'Charles  S.,  205. 

J.  M.,  203. 
Cutting,  Rev.  Mr.,  48. 

Dadmun  &  Brown,  208. 

C.  E.,  213. 

Samuel,  203. 

Samuel  &  Co.,  208. 
Damon  &  Gould,  173. 

F.  H.,  203. 

Miss  N.,  183. 

Thomas,  166. 
Dana,  Richard  H.,  81. 


Index. 


327 


Danforth,  Benjamin,  lOl. 
Daniels,  Florence  K.  D.,  10. 

John  H.,  IG. 
Darbv,  Moses,  162. 
Davidson,  L.  H.,  200. 

L.   M.,  2U(). 
Davis,  Kev.  Elnathan,  <)7,  11'.). 

Lvdia,  40. 

Robert,  155. 
Day,  A.  B.,  201. 
Dean,  Harold  M.,  5. 
Derby,  .\1k'1,  21+,  211),  217. 
Dickinson,  Elijah  M.,  16. 

Mrs.  E.  M.,  6. 

Tohn  M.,  137. 

Mrs.  Marv   Lowe,   11,  128.  134. 
Dresser,  J.  D.,"  183. 
Dudlev,  W.  H.,  198. 
Duganne,  Col.  J.  H.,  107-110. 
Dunn,  E.  B.,  215. 

John,  207,  210 
Dupee  &  Britton,  195,  198. 

C.  B.,  197,  201. 
Durant,  Amos,  173,  174. 

Edward,  162. 

&  Holbrook,  181,  182. 

Jackson,  162. 
Dwight,  Rev.  D.  W.,  50. 
Dwinnell,  Mrs.  Ellen  S.,  126. 

Eager,   Charles    H.,   201.    203,    205, 
209. 

Miss  Ethel  M.,  9. 

William  L.,  208. 
Eaton,  Alonzo,  39. 

Rev.  J.  M.  R..  123. 

Martha  D.,  122. 

Thomas  S.,  122. 

Rev.  William.  53. 
Edgerlv,  Joseph  G.,  10,  16. 
Edwards,  Lowell  S.,  204. 

Rev.  Justin,  89. 
Egerv,  A.  J..  181,  183. 
Ellis,  Rev.  William,  63,  65. 
Emerson,  William  A.,  16. 
Emory,  Charles  A.,  201. 

Daniel,  178. 

D.  &  Co.,  184,  191,  197. 
William  C,  214,  217,  219,  221. 
&  Wilder,  178. 

Estabrook,  Ilenrv  A.,  16. 

J.  D.,  121. 
Evans,  S.  H.,  190. 

Fairbanks,  Charles  L.,  219,  221. 

Frank  li.,   16. 

Jacob  H.,  204,  205.  221. 

J.  IL  &  S.  r.,  207,  210,  213. 
Falulah  brook,  143. 


Farnsworth,  Isaac,  73. 
Farrar,  C.  S.,  206. 
Fnrwell,  .\rtemas.  190. 

Asa,  190. 

&  Caldwell,  190. 

John,  41. 

Joseph,  40. 

Stephen  T.,  113. 
Faxon,  John  G.,  128. 
Fav,  Ab'rahani,  178. 
Fessenden,    Levi    G.,    194,    197,    201. 

203. 
Fisher,  Jabez  F..  16. 
Fitchburg  Almanac.  190. 

Directory,  173,  190. 

a  half  shire,  79. 

Hotel,  199. 

in  1844,  184,  188. 

in  1864,  223. 

railroad,  184. 

Town  Records,  13,  18. 
Fitts,  George  A.,  196. 
F'osdick,  Charles,  10,  16. 
Flagg,  John,  171,  173. 

John  M.,  173,  174. 
Fleming,  William,  173,  174. 
Fletcher,  C,  213,  214. 

WiUiam.  72. 
Flood  of  1850,  198. 
Foster,  Charles  H.,  193. 
Fox,  Capt.  Joseph,  13,  28,  160,  161, 
164. 

Capt.  Oliver,  163-165. 
Fractional  Currency,  216. 
Francis,  Henry  M.,  16. 
Freeman,  Lewis  H.,  214. 
Frost,  S.  G.,  195. 

&  Benton,  195. 

D.  &  Co..  210. 
Fuller,  Simeon,  218. 

Garfield,  Elijah,  74. 
Elisha,  i93,  194. 

E.  &  A.  G.,  201,  205. 
lames  F.  D.,  8,  10,  14,  138. 
lohn,  180,  192. 

&  Rice,  193. 
Gas  introduced,  207. 
Gates  &  Pride,  197. 
(jfizette  newsj)aper,  167. 
Gee,  Elbridge  B.,  196.  211. 

E.  B.  &  Co.,  203. 

&  Huntlev,  196. 
Gellctt,  Charles  W.,  197. 
Geologv  of  Fitchburg,  139-158. 
GeorgcN  M.  N.,  195. 
Gibbs,  (^,eorge  L.,  219. 
Gibson,  David,  162. 

&  F>s.';endcn,  197. 

H.  B.,  192. 


328 


Index. 


Gibson,  J.,  194. 

L.  J.,  197.  200. 

S.  A.,  216. 
Gilbert,  John,  191. 
.Gilchrest,  G.  S.,  212. 
Giles,  C-harles  G.,  218. 
Goodale,  Abner,  51. 

Miss  Lncv,  51. 
Goodell,  William,  51. 
Goodnow,   Silas   H.,   174,   178,   182, 
188,  194,  201,  209. 

&  Smith,  194,  201. 
Goodrich  burial  ground,  322. 

Henry  A.,  8,  11,  12,  14,  15,  104, 
138,  208,  221. 
Goodridge,  Abijah,  28. 

Alonzo  P.,  9,  11,  16,  48. 

Benjamin,  73. 

David,  73. 

John,  28. 
Granite  hills,  157. 

Row,  183. 
Graves,  Howard   M.,  194,  202,  208. 
Gravevard  inscriptions,  224-323. 
Green,"  Asher,   200. 
Greenvi'ood,  Henrv  C  215. 

&  Wheeler,  216. 
Griswold  &  F'arnsworth,  195. 

T.  &  W.,  173,  174,  178. 
Guy,  T.  F.  &  W.  P.,  219. 


Hale,  David  A.,  195. 

John  P.,  85. 

Moses,  28,  169. 
Hallett,  Alien,  162. 
Hall,  George,  199,  200. 

Walter  P.,  16. 
Hammond,  J-  W.,  208. 
Hanaford,  Phrcbe  A.,  93. 
Harding,  Caleb,  187. 

Jesse,  205. 
Hardon,  James  J.,  194,  195,  201. 
Harriman,  J.  L  ,  219. 
Harris,  Allen,  190. 

A.  &  W.  H.,  191,  194. 

Charles  C,  16. 

Edwin  A.,  43,  69. 

Gordis  D.,  195. 

H.  C.  &  Co.,  200. 

William  H.,  191. 
Hartwell,  E.  Adams,  12,  14,  16,  139. 

Dr.  Benjamin,  74. 

Edward,  73. 

Isaac,  192,  196. 

&  Keed,  196. 
Harwood,  lo.seph,  72. 

Kilburn,  209. 
Haskell,  Aliraham,  182. 

Jacob,  181,  183,  204,  211. 


Haskell,    Jonathan,    163,    168,    170, 
174^  176. 

J.  K.,  Jr.,  212. 

H.  W.,  195. 

&  Harris,  195. 

&  Tpton,  196. 

Stewart  &  Co.,  173,  174. 
Haskins  &  Palmer,  182. 

W.  E.,  182,  183,  190. 
Hastings,  S.,  211. 
Hatch.  II.  A.,  209,  215. 

&  Townsend,  205. 
Hawaiian  independence,  65. 
Haves,  W.  H.,  194,  199. 
Hayward  &  Bacon,  189,  193. 

Foster  &  Co.,  193. 

Mrs.  G.  B..  121. 

Horace,  182,  196,  201,  204. 

Horace  &  Co.,  212,  217. 

Milan  W.,  210-212. 
Henrv,  Wilbur  W'.,  16. 
Herri'ck,   Martin,  166. 
Hey  wood  &  Comee,  181. 

Walter,  181. 
Hibbard,  Miss  Rhoda,  97. 
Hildreth,  A.  W.  &  Co.,  191. 

Sampson  &  Co.,  190. 
Hill,  Mrs.   B.  Trask,  98. 

Mrs.   John  L.,  96. 

Leonard  B.,  191. 
Hills    in    Fitchburg,    140,   141,   143, 

144,  149,  151,  153,  156,  157. 
Hilton  &  Caldwell,  181. 
Hinds  &  Arnold,  191. 

W.,  189. 
Hitchborn,  William,  161. 
Hodgman,  Rev.  E.  R.,  99,  101.  102. 
Holbrook,  L.  L..  182. 
Holden  incorporated,  23. 
Holman,  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  60. 

Mrs.  N  ,  213. 

Thomas,  54. 
Holmes,  Elias,  219. 

Edwin,  189,  191. 
Holt  &  Allen,  207. 

Levi,  215. 
Hosmer,  E.,  215. 
House  of  Correction,  79. 
Howard,  Miss  Ada  L.,  8,  9. 
Howe,  Benjamin  J.,  178,  180. 
Hubbard,  Jonathan,  73. 
Hudson,  Mrs.  D.  D.,  137. 

Rev.  D.  D.,  137. 
Hunt,  George  W.,  191,  193. 

&  Gilbert,  191. 

J.  E.,  182. 

L.  M.  &  Co.,  193,  194. 

Samuel,  27. 
Huntlev,  E.  A.,  196. 

Rufns  M.,  200,  209. 


Index. 


329 


Huntley,  Sullivan  \V..  10. 
Hutchinson,  J.  D.,  lOG. 

Ide,  Charles,  199,  2()G,  219. 
Ingalls,  Herbert,  127. 
Thomas,  l(Ui. 

Jackson,  Henry,  204-,  207. 
[aquith.  Miss  Mar3'  B.,  16. 
"lennison,  Daniel,  209,  212. 
Jewett,  Clement,  170,  173. 

I  vers,  75,  167—171. 

I.  &.  C  ,   167,  170. 

I.  &  C.  &  Lowe,    16S,  169,  172. 
Johnson,  Charles,  199. 

Walter,  16H. 

\V.  C,  211. 
Jones  &  Bateman,  215. 
Joslin,  John  L.,  173. 

Keach  &  Gladding,  219. 
Kellev  Brothers,  163,  221. 
Kellett  &  Harding,  168. 

&  Kendall,  172,  174. 

&  Wheldon,  173. 
Kelsey,  Capt.  Albert  H.,  9. 
Kendall,  Amos,  72. 

L.  J.,  213. 
Kenney,  Miss  Lizzie,  138. 
Kerosene  oil,  217. 
Kettle  holes,  157. 
Kidder,  J.  M.  &  Co.,  207,  211. 

J.  S..  211. 
Kilmer,  J.  C,  204. 
Kimball,  Alpheus,  169. 

Amos,  159. 

A.  P..  200. 

C.  A.,  215. 

Ephraim,  15,  160. 

&  Farwell,  169,   170,   172,  173. 

John  W.,  16. 

Peter,  162. 

&  Whitcomb,  201. 

Lane,  C.  M.  &  Co..  200. 

Hallevburton,  167. 

James  H.,  183,  199. 

&  Thayer,  183. 
Lampson,  Mary,  107. 
Larcom,  Lucy,  111. 
Lawrence,  Abel,  72. 

Amos,  89,  1()5. 

Amos  A.,  92. 

r,.,  204. 

Jonathan,  72. 

&   Proctor,  206. 

Dr.   William,  92. 
Lawton,  Mrs.   Lilli.in   Pjiton,  .s,  <». 

Dr.  S.  ]•:.,  9. 
Leathe,  William  M.,  124. 


Lee,  C.  S.,  211. 

Leverett,  Benjamin  I)..  179,  182. 

I.  W..  218. 

J.  W.  &  Co.,  195,  197,  201. 

&  Co.,  184,  204. 

&  Stetson,  176. 
Lewis,  B.   P.,  218. 
Litch,  Aaron  K.,  49,   19 1-.   19(5. 

Charles  S.,  49. 

&  Sandin.  176. 

&  Sawtelle,  196. 

Thomas,  49. 
Livermore,    Charles,    182.   183,   190, 

199,  204. 
Long,  S    H.,  211. 
Loomis,  Elisha,  54. 
Loring,  Col.  E.  P.,  80,  SI. 
Louisburg  Expedition,  34. 
Lovejov,  Henrv  W.,  181. 
Lov(re,  "Arthur  H.,  16. 

Mrs.  C.  M.,  113,  205. 

Daniel,  207. 

David,  16. 

Mrs.  Mary  A.  R.,  16.  . 

D.  F.  &  Co  ,  207. 

D.  J.,  213. 

George  W..  172. 

Henrv  J.,  192,  200,  201. 

J.  &  C!  AL,  204. 

John,  211-213. 

Orin  M.,  16. 

&  Proctor,  213.  ' 
Lunenburg  Records,   13. 

Lunenburg  inscriptions,  224-323. 
Abercrombie,  269. 
Adams,  224,  269. 
Alexander,  225. 
Ames,  225. 
Arnold,  323. 
Austin,  225,  226. 
Bailev,  226.  270. 
Baker,  270. 
Baldwin,  270. 
Ball,  270. 
Bard,  27(t. 
Bartlctt,  270. 
Bathrick,  227. 


Bemis, 


•1. 


Bennett.  227. 

Bicknell,  271. 

Billings,  227,  22S.  271. 

Bingham,  228. 

Boardman,  228. 

Boutwcll,  271. 

Bo  wen,  228. 

Bowers,  271. 

Bovnton,  228.  271.  272. 

Brooks,  272. 

Brown,  229,  272. 


330 


Index. 


Lunenburg  Inscriptions — Continiierl. 
Burnam,  230. 
Burrage,  280. 
Buss,  272,  27.^. 
Butters,  273. 
Cadv,  273. 
Calciwell,  273. 
Calton.  230. 
Carlton,  273,  271-. 
Capen,  230. 
Carlilc,  230. 
Carter,  230,  231.  274-. 
Chaplin,  231. 
Choate,  231. 
Chute.  231. 
Clap,  231. 
Coggswell,  274. 
Coli)urn,  274,  275. 
Conant,  275. 
Cook,  275. 
Cowdrey,  231,  232. 
Crocker,  232. 
Cummings,  233. 
Cunningham,  232,  233,  275. 
Curtis,  276. 
Gushing,  276. 
Daley,  233. 
Damon,  234. 
Davis,  277. 
Day,  277. 
Dickson,  277. 
Dike,  277. 
Divol,  234. 

Dodge,  234,  235,  277. 
Dole,  277. 
Dresser,  278. 
Dudley,  278. 
Dunsmoor,  278,  279. 
Eaton,  235. 
Emerson,  235. 
Estabrook,  235. 
Everett,  235,  236. 
Fairbank,  236. 
Fairbanks,  279. 
Farmer,  280. 
Farnsworth,  280. 
Farwell,  236,  280. 
Felch,  280. 
Fessenden,  236. 
Fiske,  236,  280. 
Flagg,  280. 
Fletcher,  280. 
Forbes,  236. 
Foster,  236.  237. 
Fowler,  237. 
Francis,  237,  281. 
Freeman,  281. 
Fuller,  281. 

Gibson,  237,  238,  281,  282. 
Gilchrest,  238,  282,  283. 


Lunenburg  Inscriptions — Cotitiniwd. 
Gilson,  238. 
(joing,  238. 

Goodrich,  238,  239,  322. 
Goodridge,  239-242. 
Gould,  242. 

Graham,  242,  243.  283. 
Graves,  284. 
Green,  284. 
Greenough,  243. 
Grout,  243. 
Iladlev,  243. 
Hale,  284. 
Hall,  243. 
Hammond,  284. 
Harkuess,  243,  244. 
Harlow,  284. 
Harrington,  284-286. 
Harris,  244. 
Harrod,  244. 
Hart,  245,  286. 
Hartwell,  245,  286. 
Haseltine,  245. 
Haskell,  245,  246,  286. 
Hastings,  246,  287. 
Hayden,  246. 
Heath,  287. 
Henderson,  246. 
Henrv,  246. 
Herrick.  287. 
Heyvy^ood,  246,  247. 
Hills,  247. 
Hilbert,  288. 
Hildreth,  288. 
Hilton.  288. 
Hitchcock,  247. 
Holden,  248. 
Holman,  288,  289. 
Holt,  248. 

Houghton,  248,  249.  289,  290. 
Hovey,  290. 
Howard,  290,  291. 
Huchins,  249. 
Hudson,  291. 
Humphrey,  291. 
Hutchinson,  249, 
Ireland,  291. 
lacknian,  291. 
Jackson,  291,  292. 
James,  292. 
Jameson,  292. 
■jewett,  249,  292. 
Johnson,  249,  250. 
Jones,  292-295. 
Kemp,  295. 
Kendall,  295. 
Kevser,  295. 
Kifburn,  250,  251. 
Kimball,  252,  296. 
King,  296. 


Indc.\ 


331 


Lunenburg  Inscriptions — Continued. 
Lancey,  297. 
Lane,  252. 
Lawrence,  2r)2. 
Lawton,  297. 
I^row,  253. 
Lewis,  297,  29S. 
Lincoln,  253. 
Litch,  253,  323. 
Litchfield,  298. 
Livermore,  298. 
Longlev,  298 
Low,  254. 
Lowe,  254,  255. 
Manning,  298. 
Marsh,  255,  298. 
Marshall,  255,  298-301. 
Martin,  255,  256. 
Mclntire,  301. 
Mead,  301. 
Messer,  301. 
Mills,  301. 
Mitchell,  256.  301. 
Moulton,  323. 
Newhall,  301.  302. 
Newsome,  302. 
Newton,  302. 
Oakman.  302. 
Oliver,  256. 
Olivers,  256. 
Page,  256.  302. 
Palmer,  302. 
Parker,  302. 
Parce,  257. 
Parks,  303. 
Parsons,  257. 
Patch,  303. 
Patterson,  303. 
Pavson,  257. 
Peabodv,  257,  304. 
Peckham,  304. 
Perkins,  257. 
Pen-in,  258. 
I'ickens,  258. 

Pierce.  258,  259,  304,  305. 
Pollard.  305. 
Pons.  305. 
Pratt,  259,  306. 
Prentiss,  259. 
Priest,  260,  306. 
Proctor,  260,  306. 
Putnam,  306,  307. 
Kamsdell,  260. 
Keed,  260. 
Richardson,  307. 
Kiplev,  307. 
Kitter,  261. 

Robinson,  261,  307,  308. 
Rockwood,  308. 
Sampson,  261. 


Lunenburg  Inscriptions — Cunliinicd. 
Sanderson,  308.  309. 
Sawver.  262. 
Scott,  262. 
Sevmour,  309. 
Sheplev,  263. 
Sinionds,  309,  310. 
Sniailes,  310. 
vSmith,  263,  310. 
Snov^,  310-312. 
Spalding,  312. 
Spofford,  263. 
Stahl,  312,  313. 
Stanlev,  313. 

Stearns,  263,  264,  313,  314. 
Stevens,  314. 
Steward,  264,  265. 
Stewart,  315. 
Sticknev,  315. 
Stiles,  265. 
Stone,  315. 
Swift,  315. 
Tarbell.  265. 
Taylor,  265.  315.  316. 
Thayer,  316. 
Tlmrston,  31(>. 
Tinkhim,  316. 
Tower,  316. 
Turner,  26.5. 
Tweed,  316,  317. 
Tvler,  266,  317. 
Walker,  317. 
Warren,  266. 

Wetherbee,  266,  317,  318. 
White,  266,  318. 
Whiting,  267.  318. 
Whitnev,  267,  318,  319. 
Willard,  267,  268. 
Williams,  268,  319. 
Wilson,  320. 
Winning,  268. 
Wiswell,  320. 
Withington,  320. 
Wood,  268,  320,  321. 
Wveth,  321. 
Wvman,  321. 
York,  268,  321. 
Young,  268,  321. 

Macullar,  Williams  &  Co.,  201. 
Main  street,  1864.  221. 
Makci)eace,  P.  A.,  219. 
.ManniuLT,    Abel,    175,  180,  188,  200, 
201,  206,  213,  215. 

&  Cook,  206. 

E.  W.,  206,  217,  219. 

J.  E.,  201,  213. 

&  Wyman,  174. 
Marble,  Howard,  208. 
Marsh,  Charles  &  Co.,  192,  195. 


382 


Index. 


M.nsh.ill    c\:    AbtTcroiiihic,    HIS,  171- 

A.   L.,  215,  211). 

Dr.  Jonas,  74. 

Dr.  Jonas  A.,  64. 
.Martin r  William,  180. 
Marvin,  Rev.  A.  P.,  101. 
Mason,   Athcrton    P.,   S,  11,  14,   84, 
184. 

Mrs.   Caroline   A.,  <)M,  12S,  IHO- 
1 H7. 

Charles,  SI,  134. 

Joseph,  82. 
Massachusetts  Kepiiijiican.   173. 
Mav,  James  B.,  213. 
MaVnarrl.  E.  H.,  108. 

H.  (t.,   198,  109. 

Joseph  &  Co.,  204. 
.Mavo,  Daniel,  IGB. 
Meintire,  Adelaide  Z.,  10. 

&  Caldwell,  173,  174. 

David  F.,  173,  214. 

&  Works,  200. 
Mead.  V.  B.,  212,  213. 
Mecornev,  }.  L.,  206,  212. 
Mellen,   Fred  A.,  209. 
Merriam,  D.  H.  &  C.  H.,  189. 

Mrs.  Ellen  M.,  17. 
Merritt,  W.  S.,  195. 
Merry.  Rev.  W.  B.  C,  120. 
Messenger,  George  S.,  183,  193. 

George  S.  &  Co.,  194. 
Miller,  Mrs.  Alfred,  138. 
Monoosnoc  brook,  143. 

mountain,  143. 
Monroe,  James  F.,  214. 
Morse,  M.  J.,  217. 
Moulton,  J.  C  .  196,  221. 
MounL  Elam,  143. 

Hunger,  144. 

W  a  eh  u  sett,  144. 

Watatic,  144. 

Naukeege  river,  143.  146. 
Newman  &  Bailev,  172. 

H.  B.,  192. 
Newton  &  Collier,  172. 

&  Green,  176,  178. 

Horace,  169,  173,  174. 

&  Litch,  194. 
Noble,  G.  C,  181,  183. 
Norris,  Mrs.  Adelaide  L.,  124. 
Nutting,  G.  F.,   116. 

Oakman.  .\mos.   190. 

&  limorv,   174. 

Thomas's.,   190. 
Obookiah,  50. 
Old  Citv,  174. 

red  store,  160,  1()4,   1C>5,  173. 


Old    Sloics    and    Storekcci)crs,    159— 
22.3. 

Streeter  store,  163. 
Ordvvav,  Alfred  R.,  16,  197.  198,  221. 
Osborne,  A.  W.  &  Co.,  183. 

Samuel,  217. 
Otis,  B.   F.  &  Co  ,   191. 

Packard,  Rev.  Asa,  85. 

Naniv  (J.,  85. 

Ruth'F.,  86. 
Page,  Hale  W.,  218. 

&-Hawkins,  203. 
Joel,  164. 
Paige,  Enoch,  193,  195. 
Parker,  Robert  G.,  195. 

Mrs.  S.  S.,  115. 
Parks.  John,  192. 

W.  M.,  192. 
Partridge,  Asa,  182. 

A.  &  O.,  182,  190,  195,   196. 

I.   W.,  196. 

bren,  182. 

Sawver  &  Co.,  196,  203. 
Patch,  Lyman,  178,  203,  208,  221. 
Patterson,  Joseph,  101. 
Pearce,  William,  208. 
Perkins,  Francis,  166. 

W.  &  Son,  217. 
Perry,  Asa,  28. 

J.  A.  &  Co.,  215. 
Petition — Countv  Division,  72. 
Phelps,  H.  R.,  194,  198,  201. 

H.  R.  &  Co.,  203,  206. 

Joseph,  212. 
Phiilips,  Ivers,  173,  174,  198. 
Pierce,  Edward  P.,  16. 

Franklin,  85,  89. 

Joseph,  195,  209,  215,  221. 
Piper,  John  W\,  213. 

&  joslin,  173,  174. 

Porter,   170,  174,  177,  181,  183. 

&  Stimson,  170,  173. 

&  Wilson,  177,   178. 
Pierpont,  Rev.  John,  102. 
Pierson,  Rev.  W.  H.,  119. 
Pollard,  A.  W.,  219. 
Pond  &  Edwards,  203. 

Jonathan,  193,  194,  204,  215. 

"().  N.,  190. 

O.  N.  &  Co  ,  191. 
Ponds  and  lakes,  157. 
Postal  currency,  216. 
Pot  holes.  151'. 
Powell,  -Mrs.  Ruth  O.,  94,  98. 
Pratt,  A.  W.,  206. 

C.  W.,  218. 

&  Hunt,  189,  192. 

Lawrin,  192,  219. 

L.  M.  &  Co.,  192. 


liiilcx. 


333 


Pratt,  Solomon,  2()(). 
Prentiss,  Benjamin,  212. 
Prescott,  James,  72. 

Jonas,  72. 
•Oliver,  72. 

William,  72. 
Pride,  William  M..   170,  208. 

&  Wright,  197. 
Priest,  Nancv  A.  W.,  111. 
F'roctor.  B.  S.,  194. 

[.,  204-. 

J.  B.  &  Co.,  20(5. 

Sullivan  (;.,  1S4-. 
Proux,  Charles,  197. 
Puft'er,  N.  B.,  182. 
Putnam,  George  S.,  162. 

Hannah  Cowdin,  107. 

Henry  O.,  16. 

Isaiah,  107,  166. 

Isaiah  Porter,  107. 

&  Perkins,  166. 

Samuel,  162. 

(Juantrell  raid,  97. 
(Juinlan,  Charles  J.,  125. 

Rattlesnake  ledges,  144. 
Raymond,  (ieorge,  16. 
Reed,  Arba,  167. 

E.  xM.,  170. 

E.  W.,  176. 

E.  W.  &  S.  G.,  173,  174. 

George,  196. 

George  P.,  205. 

Gen.  James,  17. 

S.  G.,  174. 

&  Taft,  176. 

&  Tilden,  167. 
Reep,  Jabez,  72. 
Registry  of  deeds,  79. 
Rice,  .Xugustus,  191. 

Charles  H..  16. 

Horace  R.,  192,  194,  195. 
Richardson,  J.,  190. 

J.  B.,  201,  209. 
River  courses,  changes  of,  152. 
Robinson,  Charles,  97,  98. 
Robbins,  George,  207. 
Rockwood,  Ezra  B.,  195. 
Rockwell,  Henry  F.,  16. 
Rollstone  boulder,  150. 

hill,  140,  149. 
Ross,  Horace,  204. 
Ruggles,  F.  L.,  217. 

Samuel,  54. 

Silas,  215,  217. 
Russell,  Samuel,  193. 

Sabin  &  Garfield,  219. 
John  P.,  190,  218. 

23 


75, 


176. 


Safford,  George,  189. 
Sampson  &  Derliv,  180,  190. 

Robert,  171.  ' 

&  Upton,  179,  180. 
Sand  hills,  154,  157. 
Sanford,  (\.   L.  &  Co.,  218. 
Sandin,  Willi.'ini,  176. 
vSartell,  Joseph,  72. 
Saul,  Thomas,  191. 

Thomas  &  Son,  194. 

William  H.,  194. 
Saunders,  G.  L.,  215. 
Sawtell,  Charles,   189,  196. 

Hezekiah,  72. 
Sawyer,  Charles  B.,  173,  1 

Samuel  L.,  175,  176. 
Selloy,  John,  161. 
Sentinel  newspaper,  176. 
vShaw,  A.  J.,  207. 
Sheldon,  Capt.  Zachariah,  9. 
vSheplev,  Charles,  180,  197. 

S.  &  C,  188,  190,  197. 

Stephen,  197,  203,  206. 

Airs.  Stephen,  138. 

&  Wallace,  206,  217. 
Sherman,  A.  B.,  211,  215. 
Sherwin,  George,  201,  207,  209,  219. 

Mrs.  George,  214. 
vSiblev,  Mrs.  Rose  J.,  123. 

Sidney,  124. 
Simonds,  Alvan,  43. 
Simpson,  |.  C,  197. 
Smith,  A."  196,  199,  201. 

Mrs.  A.  C,  16,  17. 

N.  P.,  75. 

H.  \V.,  194. 

Solomon,  210. 

William,  203,  207. 

W.  P.  &  Co.,  213,  219. 
Snow,    Benjamin    &   Son,    174,    175, 
180. 

Benjamin,  Jr.,  201. 

Charles  H."  B.,  114. 

Frank  H.,  10. 

&  Haskell,  178-181. 

Dr.   Peter,  28. 

&  Wood,  194. 
Spaulding  &  Evans,  17(5. 

&  Holbrook.   178,  179. 

X:   Holt,  201. 

J.  Calvin,   16. 

"Phineas  B.,  179. 

&  Whiting,  171. 

Z.  P.,  201,  208. 

Z.  P.  &  Co.,  198. 
Spooner,  A.  J.,  207. 

E.  C,  215. 
Sprague,  L.  &  Co.,  206. 
Spring,  Mrs.  L.  W.,  137. 

Rev.  L.  W.,  101,  1:57. 


334 


Index. 


Stanley,  J.  S.,  ITS,  205. 
Stearns,  C.  H.,  218. 

Justin,  ISl. 

Thomas,  74. 

Thomas  C,  114. 
Stevens,  Abel,  183,  201. 

&  Beaman,  188. 

E.  B.,  182. 

&  Farnsworth,  19(5. 

K.  E.  &  E.  B.,  ISl. 

R.  P.,  195. 
Stiles,  James  P.,  188,  192,  209,  220. 
Stockwell  &  Davidson,  200. 

L.  H.,  189,  204. 
Stone  &  Fairbanks,  207. 

j.  D.,  213,  217.  219. 

Lucy,  85. 

mill  store,  170,  173. 

Norman,  204,  205,  212. 
Storv,  Joseph  L.,  212. 
Streeter,  D.  K..  215,  218. 
Streams,  143,  144,  146. 
Sturtevant,  W.  C.  183 
Sumner,  Charles,  92. 
Sutton,  Blood  &  Co.,  210. 

Joseph.  210. 

T.  &  J.,  210. 
Swan,  O.  N.,  211. 
Sweetser,  Thomas,  165. 

Taft,  G.  C,  176. 

Tamaree,  Prince  George,  11,  48,  56, 

58,  59. 
Tavlor,  E.  E.,  200. 

Edwin  S.,  191. 

George  W.,  40. 

W.  H.,  194,  200. 
Tenney,  J.  C,  211. 

J.  L.,  196,  201,  211. 

Sylvester,  210. 

Sylvester  &  Co.,  207. 
Thayer  &  Co.,  184. 

G.  A.,  183. 
Thompson,  J.  E.,  16. 
Thurlow,  Wilham,  161. 
Thurston,  Rev.  Asa,  11,  39-69. 

Asa,  children,  68. 

Cyrus,  40,  53. 

Ebenezer,  40,  53. 

Elizabeth,  40,  43. 

Hannah,  40. 

John,  39. 

Eorrin  A.,  68. 

Mrs.  Lucv,  64-68. 

Lvdia,  39.  42. 

Mahala,  40,  53. 

Maria,  40. 

Persis,  68. 

Polly,  40. 

Sylvania,  41,  5.3. 


Thurston,  Thomas,  39-43. 
Tilden,  Oliver  S..  190. 

Rev.  William  P.,  114. 
Tolman,  Cahill,  179,  190. 

C.  &  Co.,  190. 

&  Holmes,  182,  189. 

Miss   Martha    D.,  104.  128,  130. 

Mrs.  Mary  Downe,  128. 

Nathan,  128,  200. 

&  FVoctor,  184,  189. 

&  Walker,  203. 

William  (t.,  213. 
Torrey,  Ebenezer,  42. 

&'Wood.  176. 
Town,  Abial  J.,  9. 
Towne,  George  E.,  112. 

William  B.,  76. 
Townend,  Harry  G.,  16. 
Trask,  Eliza  S.,  98. 

Mrs.  George,  180. 

Rev.  George,  84-103,  130. 

George  K.,  98. 

Hannah,  84. 

Israel,  84. 

Jeremiah,  84. 

Josiah  C,  97,  119. 

publications,  93-95. 
Trees,  Mrs.  Thomas,  203,  205. 
Tuttle,  H.  C.  &  Co.,  212. 

Underwood,  Mary  C,  136. 

Moses,  211. 
Upton,  A.  C.  &  Co.,  204. 

A.  C.  &  W.  C,  182. 

Mrs.  Jacob,  38. 

Charles,  210. 

Capt.  James  M.,  9. 

John,  162,  183,  196,  211.  218. 

Mrs.  Louisa  C,  16. 

Maraton,  207,  211. 

Thomas  C,  27,  204. 

W.  C,  206,  209,  212,  217. 

Verse  Writers  of  Fitchburg.  104-138. 

Wachusett  lake,  157. 
Waite,  Ellen  M.,  98. 
Walker,  Amasa,  90. 

Rev.  Dr.,  90. 
Wallace,  Calvin,  206. 

Rodney,  128,  206,  217. 

Waldo,  195,  209. 
Wallis,  Rol)ert  N.,  6,  16. 

Mrs.  Robert  N.,  6. 
Walworth,  J.  J.  &  Co.,  205. 
Ward,  H.  &  j".,  212. 
Ware,  Charles  E.,  16. 

&  Nash.  219. 
War  on  tobacco,  88. 

prices,  218,  219. 


Index. 


335 


Warren.  H.  E..  20+. 

L.  I).,  217. 

L.  W.,  215. 

Thomas,  72. 
Washburn,  Emor.v.  82,  190. 
Webster,  Daniel,  90. 
Welhnan,  Mrs.   Louise  H.,  1(>. 
Wetherby,   .Mary  j.,  110 
Wevnian.  .Mrs.  Martha  L.,   1(>. 
Whalom  lake,  106,  157. 
Wheeler,  Aaron,  209. 

[ohn  A.,  215-217. 

L.  L).,  217. 
Whitcomb  &  Cook,  lOS. 

&  Eager,  205. 

&  Haskell,  KJH. 

J.,  160. 

1.  E.,  107. 

I.  G.,  200. 

John,  163. 

.Nathan.  205,  209. 

&  Rice,  192. 

S.,  171. 
Whitcomb's  hotel,  175. 
White,  J.  Warren,  117. 
Whitman  &  Miles.  218. 
Whitman's  river,  146. 
Whitnev,  Abijah,  162. 

Andrew,  196. 

B.  J.,  211. 

Rev.  Peter,  162. 

Pliny,  166. 

Samuel,  54. 

vSimon,   162. 


1 


6,  8,   10-12,  14, 


206. 


Wigj^in,  Mrs.  Sarah  .\.,  27. 
Wilder,  Caleb,  40. 

Charles  W.,  207,  212. 

Edwin,  182. 

Edwin  A.,  181. 

&  LovejoY,  182. 

William  S".  174, 
Willard.  Josiah,  I'A. 
Willis,  Henry  A.,  5, 
15,  17,  70. 

Samuel,  9. 

Sidney  D.,  195,  199,  20H,  205. 

Willia'm  .M.,  16,  214. 
Wilson,  Joseph,  191. 

Timothy    S.,  167,  174,  1 

&  Lane,  167. 

&  Pride,  181,  189. 

&  Stevens,  195,  196,  201. 
Wood,  Goodwin,  203. 

Joseph,  206. 

Nathaniel,  81. 
Woods,  Samuel,  167. 
Woodward,  Fred  P.,  5,  8,  12,  14,  15. 

F.  F.  &  Co.,  200. 

Mrs.  Martha  G.,  16. 
Worcester  County  Division,  70- 

Rev.  Samuel,  54. 
Wright,  Alba  C,  191. 

L  C,  213.  219. 

Kendall  &  Co.,  213,  219. 
Wvman,  J.  C,  194. 


Young,  Mrs.  Hattie  E.  .M.,  10 


-83. 


'im-mMmm^